WATERLOO, Ont - Third-year forward Nick Giunta scored two goals in Laurier's 6-3 loss against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Wednesday night. 

The Golden Hawks started the game strong, but the Varsity Blues struck first at 7:05 into the first. Christian Stevens one-timed the puck past Laurier netminder Christian Propp for his first OUA goal. 

Laurier responded only a minute later. After making a great effort to keep the play alive in the offensive zone, Conor Ali fed Giunta for his first goal of the night. He and Giunta similarly connected in their last match.
 

MHOCK?? P1 - Nick Giunta puts one cheddar for his second goal in as many games!

Golden Hawks | 1@Varsity_Blues | 1#SoarAbove pic.twitter.com/mPd8VoMMlv

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) October 11, 2023

Just over halfway through the period, the Blues re-took the lead a minute into their first powerplay. Emmett Serensitis was the goal-scorer. 

The purple and gold went into the first intermission down by one but leading 11-10 in shots. 

With eight minutes gone in the second, Tyler Davis delivered a wicked saucer pass through traffic to Giunta, who found the back of the net for his second of the night as a Toronto penalty expired. First-year Isaac Sooklal had the secondary assist.
 

MHOCK?? P2 - What a feed by Tyler Davis to who else but Nick Giunta!

Golden Hawks | 2@Varsity_Blues | 2#SoarAbove pic.twitter.com/xsgfuq41vM

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) October 12, 2023

Blues captain Cole Purboo restored his team's lead on a great individual effort with just under five minutes left in the second. 

It didn't last for long though. A powerplay in the dying seconds of the frame led to Sooklal putting home a rebound off a Sam Rhodes shot for his first career OUA goal. 
 

MHOCK?? P2 - Isaac Sooklal pots his first OUA goal in the dying seconds of the period to tie the game at 3!

Golden Hawks | 3@Varsity_Blues | 3#SoarAbove pic.twitter.com/jWOgFGgGoG

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) October 12, 2023

The third period began with Laurier handed a delay of game penalty. The Blues took advantage and went on to score three unanswered goals to win the game 6-3. 

Propp faced a whopping 47 shots, stopping 42 of them for the Golden Hawks. 

Laurier manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest described it as "a bad night." 

"We just weren't good tonight. We didn't win our races and we managed the puck poorly. When we don't have the puck, it not going to be a good night." 

The Golden Hawks will look to get back into the win column on Saturday when they visit the Guelph Gryphons. The puck drops at 7:30 in the Gryphons Centre Arena. 


PLUS: The 99's

Nick Giunta has scored three goals in his last two games. When asked about what has been leading to his success, he attributed it to the chemistry he has with his line. 

"We're all just meshing really well. We're all great buddies off the ice too, so I think that extra chemistry helps."