ST. CATHERINES, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks were shut out in their Queen's Cup playoff opener as they fell 2-0 to the Brock Badgers on the road Wednesday night. 

Despite Brock outshooting Laurier 15 to 9 in the opening frame, the first period was full of back-and-forth action. However, even with the plethora of shots, neither team could find the back of the net.

Both of Brock's goals came in the second period. Forward Tyler Rollo opened the scoring just over six minutes into the frame as he finished a seeing-eye pass to the front of the net from Cole Tymkin. Tymkin then extended the Badgers' lead another six minutes after that and shortly after a draw to the right of Laurier's Christian Propp. 

Brock sent 17 shots in Propp's direction in the second period, totalling 32 through 40 minutes. Laurier's physicality continued to lead to their success in developing scoring chances, but they couldn't put the puck behind Brock's Roman Basran. 

The whistles came out in the third period. After calling one penalty throughout forty minutes, there were seven penalties called in the final frame. Nobody could solve Propp or Basran on the ensuing power-plays, each team going a perfect three-for-three on the penalty kill. 

The purple and gold came up short on their first power-play 50 seconds into the second period. 

The Golden Hawks were sent to their second power-play soon after killing off their first penalty of the third period. However, the advantage was cut short as Sullivan Sparkes took an interference call 47 seconds into the man advantage. 

The Golden Hawks went to the power-play one final time with just under two minutes remaining. They pushed hard, pulling Propp and sending the extra attacker out for a 6-on-4. 

Basran held on, holding the Golden Hawks scoreless en route to a 34-save shutout. 

The Golden Hawks find themselves with their backs against the wall as they return home to the SunLife Financial Arena for game two of the best-of-three opening-round series on Saturday at 7 pm. Tickets are available now or you can catch all the action on OUA.tv and RadioLaurier.com 


History
Laurier met the Badgers in the first round of the playoffs last year, where Brock defeated Golden Hawks 5-2. Laurier's interim manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest was the interim bench boss of the Badgers last season.

Laurier has had a tough time against the Badgers recently. They have dropped their last 13 match-ups, boasting a winless streak that spans five seasons. 


Plus + Physicality
Laurier continued with the physicality and had Brock looking timid. Some of Laurier's best opportunities were the direct effects of someone laying the body. 


Plus + Christian Propp
Christian Propp was at the top of his game on Wednesday, turning away 38 of 40 shots on the night. "Propper" kept the Golden Hawks in the game all night, allowing them the opportunity to overcome the two-goal deficit.