NORTH BAY, Ont. - The Golden Hawks made the trek to North Bay on Friday night for their first game of the new year. The Golden Hawks faced the Nipissing Lakers for the first time this season and expected an intense match-up against the country's second-ranked team and winners of 12 in a row.

Laurier came into the game sitting second in the OUA west and third overall in the conference while Nipissing came in atop the standings.

The Lakers' Kara Den Hoed opened the scoring just 41 seconds into the first period and, two minutes later, they doubled their lead thanks to Malory Dominico's seventh goal of the year.

Laurier finally got on the board with just over eight minutes gone in the period, after the Lakers fumbled the puck at the Golden Hawks' blue line, to allow Ella Jackson to get away for a clear break at Nipissing goaltender Chantelle Sandquist, eventually beating her on the backhand attempt for her second goal of the season. 
 

W?? P1- Ella Jackson gets a breakaway goal!

Golden Hawks | 1@nulakers | 2#SoarAbove #NIPvsWLU pic.twitter.com/RJF3cj0op0

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 5, 2024

Just two minutes later though, Nipissing retaliated with their third goal of the game, forcing Laurier head coach Kelly Paton to pull starting netminder Acadia Carlson from the game. 

Unfortunately, Laurier didn't fare much better, because just 1:02 later and with backup netminder Kayla Renaud between the pipes, the Lakers scored on two of their next three shots to finish the opening frame with a 6-1 lead. 

Just two minutes into the second period and looking to convert one of their six power-play opportunities of the night, Kylie Laliberte capitalized on a pass from Ella Jackson to put up another goal for the Golden Hawks, her third, to make it 6-2. 

Three minutes later, with Nipissing's Rachel Lee in the crease to give starting netminder Lee the rest of the night off, Grace Sumi wrapped the puck around the Lakers' net and found a way to put it past the back-up from in close to cut the home side's lead in half.

W?? P2- Grace Sumi cuts the lead in half!

Golden Hawks | 3@nulakers | 6#SoarAbove #NIPvsWLU pic.twitter.com/wvLT7eXxS3

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) January 5, 2024

The momentum was short-lived though as, nearing the mid-way point, Nipissing scored two more goals in a span of 1:34 to restore the same five-goal cushion they enjoyed after the first.

Madison Leberge's fifth of the year filled out the stat sheet, with both teams unable to find the back of the net in the third. 

The loss dropped the Golden Hawks to 9-5-0-1 in their season.

THREE STARS: 

1st Star: Megan Hayhurst, Nipissing Lakers – 2 goals

2nd Star: Ashley Taciuk, Nipissing Lakers, 2 goals

3rd Star: Abby Lunney, Nipissing Lakers – 1 goal, 2 assists

Up Next:

The Golden Hawks head to Toronto for a Saturday night face-off against the Varsity Blues for the first time this season. 

Puck drop is set for 7:00 pm at the Varsity Arena in Toronto. 

Follow @WLUAthletics on X for live updates and find all the action live on OUA.tv.