WATERLOO, Ont. - After closing out the first half of the season with only three wins, Laurier set the tone for the second half with a 4-3 overtime upset against Lakehead. 

With some major changes in the lineup, this game made for an exciting debut for both Lucas Chard and Nolan Bettens.

While Bettens took over for Laurier's loss of Jadon Reimer on defence, Chard stepped up for Eli Reimer on offence and joined the rookie additions with Tyler Hunt and Brendan Anderson. 

Caleb Petrie opened up the scoring with a top-shelf goal just seven minutes in off a rebound from Evan Benwell, who had received a perfect breakaway chance from Ryan Pryce.

Although Lakehead couldn't capitalize on the power play opportunity they received at 17:05, Ben Badalementi responded less than 30 seconds after Laurier's penalty ended as the Golden Hawks struggled to re-organize themselves for five-on-five play. 

Trent Crane scored early into the second when a scramble in front of the net left Laurier's Paris O'Brien without enough time to cover his open side.

The purple and gold kept the pressure on Thunderwolves goaltender Christian Cicigoi, creating multiple prime chances in the offensive zone.

A great play from rookies Brendan Anderson and Lucas Chard gave Evan Benwell his scoring chance, bringing it back to 2-2 just halfway through the frame. 

An early power play opportunity allowed the Golden Hawks to take the lead early into the third. Assisted by Lucas Chard and Kai Stothers, Brendan Anderson snapped a beautiful wrist shot into the back of the net.

With a 3-2 lead in what could have been the final period, O'Brien stood on his head to rob any Thunderwolves player of an opportunity to tie it up.

An unfortunate sequence of penalties gave Lakehead a crucial 5-on-3 chance at 8:04. Laurier's penalty kill unit has had no problems throughout the season, proving their strength again by shutting down any chances while shorthanded. 

The Golden Hawks have seen trouble re-organizing themselves after penalty kills, leading to many goals coming just after penalties end.

Unfortunately, this was no different last night as the team struggled to be in the right spot post-PK, allowing Olivier Pouliot to send the game to OT with a sneaky goal. 

Overtime didn't last long enough to get anyone nervous, with rookie Tyler Hunt calling the game just two minutes in with his first OUA goal.

A loose puck off the boards was quickly controlled by Hunt, he went over the shoulder of Lakehead's Cicigoi to give Laurier their first win of 2025.          

"This is the type of full 60-minute play that we've been trying to have all season…With Chard back in the lineup and injuries being healed over the break, we're now able to have the lineups we've been wanting since the start," said Laurier's manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest.

He was confident that the win was well deserved, giving special credit to the rookie line with Tyler Hunt, Brendan Anderson, and Lucas Chard.

Game Notes        

The rookie line definitely showed promise for the rest of the season, as each player had a night for themselves.

1. Tyler Hunt: Overtime winner for his first OUA goal
2. Brendan Anderson: A goal and assist
3. Lucas Chard: Assisted 3 out of 4 goals in the game