WATERLOO, Ont - Laurier had an incredible comeback last night, scoring four third period goals to force overtime against the Western Mustangs. Despite the late surge, the Mustangs found the winner in the extra frame to take it 7-6.
Western came on the ice hot, with Christiano Aiello scoring less than a minute in, assisted by Jacob Dietz. The early goal had Laurier fighting from behind early, but a man advantage at 5:15 set them up to strike back. Thomas Lenart had a perfect stick in front of the net to finish a seamless play between Travis Verbeek and Lucas Chard, making it 1-1.
Zander Veccia retook the lead with a clean shot over the shoulder of goaltender Andrew Ness. Jacob Dietz beat Ness again less than a minute later, setting the Mustangs up for a 3-1 lead heading into the second frame.
Tristan Malbeouf stepped up for Ness for the remainder of the game after the rookie netminder looked shaky. At 7:16, Tyler Hunt and Luke Della Croce gave Ryan Pryce a chance in front of the net which he took mid-fall, managing to find the back of the net anyway.
Zander Veccia earned his second goal of the night seven minutes later with an assist from Lawson Sherk. Again, less than a minute later, Zach Power made it 5-2 for Western. Although the Golden Hawks were not able to score for the remainder of the period, their stride was found before heading into the third.
Western pushed their lead further 14 seconds in, making it a 6-2 game that seemed out of Laurier's reach.
Bryce Sutherland got one on the power play, assisted by Kai Stothers and Anthony Francella. Laurier continued their push four minutes later when rookie Verbeek scored, set up by Callum Chisholm and Chard.
The push didn't stop there. First-year Alec McDonald put away his marker with helpers from Chard and Lenart. With under three minutes left, Lenart managed to tie the game 6-6 with assists from Chard and Verbeek.
Although the Golden Hawks battled hard during overtime, Eric Van Impe ended it at 6:53, assisted by Christian Aiello and Zach Power.
The Golden Hawks will turn the page on 2025 and are set to enter 2026 with a back-to-back weekend up in Thunder Bay when they visit the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
