WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks had a memorable return to the postseason cut short on Saturday afternoon, losing game two of their best-of-three first-round series against Waterloo 2-1 at RIM Park's Pillers Ice Haus. The victory saw the Warriors complete the sweep and advance to the McCaw Cup semifinals for a match-up against the Guelph Gryphons.

The first period consisted of many opportunities for each team, but the Warriors certainly dominated in possession.  

Early in the period, Waterloo forward Lauren Bell and Laurier's Eryn Wolfe raced for the puck towards Laurier's end. However, Wolfe kept Bell outside and prevented the shot toward Laurier's netminder, Acadia Carlson. 

Down the other end, Yasmina Tomkin backhanded the puck right in front of the Warriors' net, but unfortunately, nobody was there to complete the scoring attempt. 

About halfway through the opening frame, the Warriors took a cross-checking penalty, sending the Golden Hawks to the power play. 

Although the Golden Hawks had a few scoring chances, they were unable to get anything by the Warriors' goaltender, Kara Mark. 

Shortly after the penalty ended, the Warriors did a great job at screening Carlson, allowing Lyndsy Acheson to get a shot off towards the net, which was redirected in by Leah Herrfort, making it 1-0 for the Warriors. 

Carly Orth orchestrated a creative scoring opportunity for herself as she attempted to take a shot from the side of Laurier's net, but it hit off Carlson's mask and was cleared away.

As the Warriors held the lead, they gained momentum and looked for a way to increase their lead. However, the period would conclude with the Golden Hawks trailing by one. 

Going into the second period, the Golden Hawks seemed to pick up speed and some momentum of their own. 

Ella Jackson raced down the center of the ice with the puck but was quickly swarmed by Waterloo players trying to shut her down. 

Brianna Bowman sent a shot in towards the net and Elle Spencer redirected the puck off Mark and into the back of the Warriors' net, making it a 1-1 game. 

W?? P2 – Elle Spencer puts the Golden Hawks on the scoreboard!

Golden Hawks | 1@WlooWarriors | 1#SoarAbove #WLUvsUWW pic.twitter.com/YBZLr8xVEL

— Laurier Golden Hawks (@WLUAthletics) February 24, 2024

Just thirty seconds after the Golden Hawks tied the game, Leah Herrfort hauled down Laurier's captain, Hayley Szymanowski, sending the Golden Hawks back to the power play. 

Although the Golden Hawks remained in possession of the play, they couldn't take the lead on the power play. 

Shortly after, Carly Orth went hard into the boards and needed some attention from Waterloo's training staff. However, she returned to the game shortly after. 

Later, the officials called a slashing penalty on Laurier's Eryn Wolfe, testing out Laurier's penalty kill for the first time this game. 

Although the Golden Hawks were able to keep the game tied during Wolfe's penalty, they couldn't do the same during Kylie Laliberte's after, making it 2-1 for the Warriors. 

Although they were down a goal, the Golden Hawks did not let up and continued to create scoring chances, including several one-timers that were either blocked by a Warrior or saved by Mark. 

Heading into the final frame, the Golden Hawks continued to dominate possession. 

Ella Jackson came down towards the Warrior's net, and after she pulled off a few beautiful moves, she passed the puck to Olivia MacMillan, who could not get a shot off.

Halfway through the third period, Brianna Bowman took a controversial tripping penalty, as the capacity crowd at the 500-seat rink in attendance voiced their dissatisfaction with the call.

However, Carlson made some huge saves to keep it a one-goal game.

With three minutes remaining in the game, Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach Kelly Paton decided to pull Carlson for an extra attacker.

Approximately a minute later, the Warriors took a hooking penalty, giving the Golden Hawks a 6-on-4 advantage. 

With the extra skaters, the Golden Hawks couldn't tie the game and the Warriors skated out to celebrate the series victory.

Reflecting on the season, Paton expressed how she was "really proud of the positive step we took this year as a whole."

"It started with rebuilding the culture and everybody buying into the same vision. Training throughout the summer, then the pre-season, that momentum carried into the regular season and the fact that we rebuilt a process where we can say we are competitive with the top teams in the league, that's a positive step for us".

Paton highlighted a key player, not only for this game but for the year, third-year defender, Arielle MacDonald. 

"Arielle has been huge for us all year, and I think that she continues to establish that she is one of the most difficult defenders to play against in the league," said Paton.

"She brings a physical element to her game. But she also makes some positive possession plays and she's got a way of creating really good things when she is on the ice. She played big minutes for us today but also has had a really big impact on where we are right now."

Paton went on to credit the senior class for helping the program "evolve and ultimately set new expectations."

"We walked into the season this year and our goal was to be a playoff team, and we aren't satisfied with losing in the first round. I think now that is going to help set up expectations for future years. Instead of wanting to make playoffs, now we expect to win a series and I think that's something the seniors can walk away with and be proud of."

Although their final game was a heartbreaking loss, it is not without significance as this was their first playoff appearance since 2016. 

Three Stars

1st Star: Leah Herrfort, Waterloo Warriors – 1 G, 1 A

2nd Star: Kara Mark, Waterloo Warriors – 34 saves 35 shots

3rd Star: Acadia Carlson, Laurier Golden Hawks – 29 saves on 31 shots