THUNDER BAY, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks clawed back from a 2-0 deficit, scoring five unanswered goals en route to a 5-2 victory against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens. 

The ice was very tilted toward the Thunderwolves in the first period. Lakehead, heading into the second night of a back-to-back, had lit the Guelph Gryphons up for nine goals on Friday. 

Their high-flying offence continued, opening the scoring on their second of three powerplays in the first period as Craig Smith redirected a pass from Kyle Auger past the outstretched pad of Christian Propp. 

Olivier Pouliot extended the Thunderwolves' lead to 2-0 just over halfway through the first period. 

Laurier came into the second period with a new determination and dominated the play. The hard work was rewarded when Grayden Gottschalk beat Lakehead's Max Wright with a shot from a tough angle. The goal was his eighth of the season. 
 

M?? P2 - Gottschalk rip one from a tight angle!

Golden Hawks | 1@lakeheaduhockey | 2#SoarAbove #WLUvsLAK pic.twitter.com/Ju2YUk3NvU

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 22, 2023

Sophomore forward Tyler Davis picked up his third goal of the year as he evened things up on a shot from the high slot area in the dying minutes of the middle frame.

Matthew Zebedee scored another beautiful goal, this time by making a Lakehead defender look silly before beating Wright up high. The goal was his fourth of the season and third in his last four games. 
 

M?? P3 - WE ARE NOT WORTHY!??

Golden Hawks | 3@lakeheaduhockey | 2#SoarAbove #WLUvsLAK pic.twitter.com/jw4EEpYhSh

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 22, 2023

Sam Rhodes extended Laurier's lead twice, picking up his first goal on the penalty kill as he beat Wright with a rip blocker side. He potted his second of the game on the empty net in the final minute to seal the win for Laurier.
 

M?? P3 - Sam Rhodes extends the Laurier lead on the power kill!

Golden Hawks | 4@lakeheaduhockey | 2#SoarAbove #WLUvsLAK pic.twitter.com/I7BgsDD0Ex

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 22, 2023

Christian Propp was locked in. After allowing two goals in the first, he shut down the fort and stopped every puck sent in his direction. Overall, he stopped 29 of 31 shots, good enough for a 0.935 save percentage. 

Playoff Picture
The win sealed a 3-0 season series sweep against the Thunderwolves. The sweep is the first of such in the Covid-era, and the third in the last five seasons.

Laurier still remains outside of a playoff spot but is now tied again with the York Lions. The two teams boast the same record (11-10-1) but York holds 6th place due to head-to-head games going in York's favour.

Picking up wins against top teams like Lakehead is huge. The Golden Hawks also swept TMU in their season series.

Plus + Matthew Zebedee, Tyler Davis and Sam Rhodes
Since solidifying his spot in the lineup, Zebedee has been a point per game, having scored three goals and an assist for four points. He's shown a knack for scoring highlight-type goals. 

Tyler Davis is a dog and his grind has paid off. He picked up two points in his return to the Golden Hawks lineup. He now has four points in his last two appearances. 

With his two goals on Saturday, Sam Rhodes is now tied with Grayden Gottschalk for the scoring lead with eight goals.

Plus + Christian Propp's Mask
Propp was stellar tonight but his mask may have changed the course of the game. Midway through the second period, Propp's mask fell off mid-play and a Lakehead goal was disallowed. The goal would have put the Thunderwolves up by 3. 

Up Next
The Golden Hawks shift their focus to the visiting Western Mustangs (7-9-5) on Thursday morning as they are set to play in the annual School Day Game at 11 a.m. at the Sunlife Financial Arena.