OSHAWA, Ont. – The Golden Hawks ended their road trip on a high note Saturday night by securing a season sweep of the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks after a 2-0 win in Oshawa.

The Golden Hawks wasted no time in this one, as they found themselves on the power-play and setting up in the offensive zone early in the game. The purple and gold began cycling the puck, allowing them more time and space to generate opportunities. 

Following a scramble in front of the net, Mackenziee Marshall sniped a shot from the point that beat Ridgebacks starting goaltender Zoe McGee for her first goal of the season with just 1:52 gone.

Laurier killed off two penalties through the remainder of the first and led 1-0 after the opening 20 minutes of play.

The second period consisted of lots of back-and-forth puck possession as the Ridgebacks looked to tie things up. Golden Hawks' goaltender Victoria Kelaiditis saved all 18 shots by Ontario Tech in the frame though. Kelaiditis was also searching for her first OUA career win on Saturday evening. 

Just ten seconds after hitting the game's midway point, Golden Hawks rookie Emerie Maltby snuck the puck behind McGee for her first career OUA goal, extending Laurier's lead to 2-0.

The third period came and went as the Golden Hawks transferred their focus to defending the Ridgebacks and securing the win. Kelaiditis made several crucial saves late in the period to keep her team alive in hopes of her first shutout. The period was scoreless as the Golden Hawks killed off yet another penalty, allowing them to skate away with their second win in the past three games.

After the game, Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton acknowledged it was good to see how the group "played well as a team and achieved team success with a few individual accolades."

Three stars

Emerie Maltby – Laurier Golden Hawks: First career OUA goal

Victoria Kelaiditis – Laurier Golden Hawks: First career OUA win and shutout

Mackenziee Marshall – Laurier Golden Hawks: First goal of the season and game-winner

Up next

The Golden Hawks (3-15-1-5) are on the road in Guelph on Wednesday night for the first half of a home-and-home against the Gryphons (13-4-3-5) that will wrap-up the regular season.

Game time is 7:30 pm at the Gryphon Centre and can be seen live on OUA.tv