WATERLOO, Ont.
– The Golden Hawks returned home for the first time this season and made a statement, blanking the Nipissing Lakers 4–0. The win marked the first time since 2016 that Laurier has shut out the Lakers.
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Laurier came out flying, dominating possession and firing the game's first 14 shots before the midway point of the opening frame. They broke through when an assistant captain's connection paid off, as
Claire Robinson's point shot created a rebound that
Elle Spencer buried out front for the game's first goal.
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Just a shift later, Spencer struck again. After taking a feed from linemate
Clara Chisholm just outside the blue line, she carried the puck in and ripped a top-shelf shot from the top of the circle to double the Hawks' lead. Laurier carried a commanding 24–3 edge in shots into the first intermission.
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"It was great, and it was just a great team performance all around," said Spencer after her two-goal night. "I was able to capitalize on my linemate's hard work, and we've gotten some really good chemistry going. Everything that we've been doing in practice has been translating to on ice, so it's been great to see our hard work pay off."
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Only twenty seconds into the second period,
Gabrielle Lehoux notched her first in purple and gold with a screened point shot to extend the lead. Later in the frame during some four-on-four play,Â
Ella Jackson picked up a loose puck near the neutral zone and took off on a breakaway, finishing with a slick forehand-backhand move to roof it top shelf, giving Laurier a four-goal cushion heading into the second intermission.
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"I think we had an honest week of practice with a bit more direct feedback on what the expectations are in this program," said Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach
Kelly Paton. "We challenged the group to focus on the full sixty (minutes) and make sure we play a complete game, which obviously they did an excellent job of executing today."
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The third period featured no additional scoring, but there were plenty of special team opportunities, as the Hawks stayed disciplined and composed to secure the 4–0 victory.
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"It's one thing to play tough and heavy and hard, but you've got to still be smart and disciplined within it," Paton added. "When moments start to get chippy, it's about staying in control of your emotions so it doesn't put the team at a disadvantage. The team understood the importance of that today, and I'm proud of them for it."
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Laurier outshot Nipissing 47–18, while veteran goaltender
Kayla Renaud earned her second win of the season and first shutout of the year. It was the seventh of her OUA career.
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"I'm feeling great, and I couldn't have done it without the girls in front of me," said Renaud. "They've supported me through the past four years, and with one of our defenders being from Nipissing, it was a great opportunity for us to rise for her as well. It wasn't just one person – it was an entire team effort tonight."
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With back-to-back games on the schedule, Paton emphasized the importance of resetting quickly ahead of tomorrow's matchup.
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"Back-to-backs are always tough, just from a physical standpoint," she said. "We have to walk in tomorrow with the intent to get three points and not carry anything from an emotional standpoint from this game. If we keep the same habits and energy, and the execution stays at the same level, we'll be in a good place."
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Riding a two-game win streak, the Golden Hawks will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host TMU at the Athletic Complex. The Bold have only played one game so far and have been off for eight days since their shootout loss to Queen's on October 10.
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Puck drop at the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex is set for 7:00 p.m., and tickets are available
here.
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The game will also be streamed live on OUA.tv
