OSHAWA, Ont. - On Friday night, the Laurier Golden Hawks faced off against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in Oshawa, marking their first road game of the 2023-24 regular season.
Both teams entered the game having lost their season openers, setting the stage for an intense battle to secure their first win of the year. Following a hard-fought sixty minutes, the Golden Hawks emerged victorious by a final score of 4-1.
The opening period saw Laurier's
Yasmina Tomkin and
Ella Jackson execute a two-on-one against the Ridgebacks, with Jackson finishing the play to give Laurier a 1-0 lead.
Just over seven minutes into the second period, some undisciplined play by the Ridgebacks spotted the Golden Hawks a power play opportunity. After numerous chances, Â
Claire Robinson capitalized to double the Laurier lead.
The Ridgebacks managed to break onto the scoreboard, making it 2-1. Down a player due to a cross-checking penalty in the final minute of the second period, the Golden Hawks seized the opportunity.Â
In the dying seconds of the frame,
Chloe Davidson doubled the Laurier lead again to make it 3-1.
As the game entered its final frame, both teams continued to fight for control, trading time in the penalty box.Â
Six minutes into the third period and on another power play, Jackson's shot was deflected in by
Elle Spencer to make it 4-1.
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Despite Laurier taking two penalties with nine minutes remaining, the Ridgebacks couldn't mount a comeback, thanks to the strong goaltending of
Acadia Carlson, who made 29 saves on the night.
Of note, the score mirrored Laurier's last four-goal regular-season victory on November 2, 2019, which also occurred against Ontario Tech.
With little time to savour their first win of the season, the Golden Hawks move on to their next challenge: the Queen's Gaels. Puck drop in Kingston on Saturday night is set for 7:30 p.m.
Catch the game live on OUA.tv or follow along to live updates on X (formerly Twitter) at @WLUAthletics.
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