WATERLOO, Ont - The Laurier Golden Hawks soared to a dominant 5-1 victory against the Western Mustangs in the first game of a home and home Saturday afternoon.Â
Looking to rebound from their heartbreaking loss to the Waterloo Warriors on Thursday night, Laurier aimed to start strong.
The first period reflected that determination, as both teams hit the ice with energy and were engaged in fast-paced, back-and-forth play. However, neither side could convert their efforts into scoring opportunities, leaving the game scoreless after the opening 20 minutes.
However, the second period ignited a different spark for Laurier as they erupted with four unanswered goals.Â
"There was nothing fancy to it," said Laurier assistant coach
Nik Knezic, who is stepping in for head coach
Kelly Paton as she represents Canada at the FISU World University Games. "It was just a lot of hard work and simple plays - plug up to the blue line, pass, shot. Either the shot was going in, or we were generating a lot of rebounds for girls to crash on."Â
This relentless effort paid off, starting with
Rylee Crego getting a shot through from the blue line to open the scoring.
Shortly after, the Golden Hawks found themselves back on the advantage, where captain
Hayley Szymanowski struck from the back door to double the lead.Â
Less than a minute later,
Emily Olson capitalized on a loose rebound to pot Laurier's third goal in a span of 4:39.
The dominant period was capped off with 37 seconds remaining in it by
Claire Robinson, who fired a long shot past Presley Daschuk on yet another power play, making it 4-0 heading into the final frame.Â
In the third,
Clara Chisholm extended Laurier's lead to 5-0 when she walked into the slot and wasted no time going top shelf just under eight minutes in.
Unfortunately, Emma Campbell spoiled rookie goaltender
Sarah Howell's shutout bid late with just 4:50 to go, scoring on a squeaker from the point on the power play.Â
Laurier's special-teams efficiency was key, converting three of six opportunities. Goaltender
Sarah Howell stood tall for the purple and gold, picking up the win.Â
"We had to work for everything we got tonight," said Knezic. "Western did a great job of working hard throughout the whole game, and I thought our girls did a great job of everything we've been discussing. Staying patient, working hard in their structure, and trying to have some success off of it."Â
The Golden Hawks will look to stay in the win column and win the season series on Friday night in London.Â
Puck drop is at 7 pm and can be streamed on OUA.tv. Live updates will be available on on X at @WLUAthletics.
