OTTAWA, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks battled it out last night against the Carleton Ravens at the CU Ice House, coming out on top 3-2 in the shootout.
Carleton's Nick McCarry opened the scoring at the 15:15 mark with an even-strength goal. It turned out to be the only tally of the opening frame.
The second period was scoreless but evenly matched. Both goalies stood tall and stopped everything sent in their direction. After getting the night off on Friday, former OUA all-star Christian Propp made several big saves to keep the Golden Hawks within striking distance.
Just over six minutes into the third period, Sam Rhodes scored a crucial unassisted even-strength goal to level the playing field. It was the third-year veteran's third goal in his last two games.
Carleton would retake the lead just three minutes later when Reese Belton found the back of the net.
But Laurier was not done cooking yet.
Ryan Mulholland sent a nasty stretch pass to Bryce Sutherland, who walked into the Ravens' zone and buried a shot past Tye Austin to even the game at two apiece.
Neither team could break the tie in the remaining nine minutes nor the seven-minute 3-on-3 overtime, despite several chances from both.
This one ended in the shootout. Rhodes was Laurier's first and only shooter to find the twine in the three rounds. Propp shut the door as he turned aside all three Ravens shooters, securing a 3-2 victory for the Golden Hawks.
Propp stopped 29 of 31 shots sent in his direction. He looked outstanding last night and was a massive factor in the Laurier win.
Both teams had opportunities on the power play, but neither managed to convert. Laurier went 0-5 with the man advantage but a perfect 4-4 on the penalty kill.
PLUS/MINUS
Plus + Road Points
After a challenging back-to-back against teams that Laurier hasn't seen since before the pandemic, the purple and gold head home after two hard-fought games where they secured three of a possible four road points.
Plus + Penalty Kill
The Golden Hawks' penalty-killing unit got off to a rough start this season but has picked it up recently. Since sacrificing two powerplay goals against Toronto in their second game of the season, Laurier has allowed just one goal in their last ten penalty kills.
UP NEXT
The Golden Hawks are set to take on the York Lions (1-4) at home on Thursday. Laurier was swept in last year's season series by the Lions and were outscored 9-5. This is the only time the two teams will suit up against each other this season.
Puck drop at the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex is at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now!
If you can't be at the game, follow the action on X (formerly Twitter) at @WLUAthletics or live on OUA.tv
