Box Score WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks earned a 4-1 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Sunday evening, backed by a standout performance in goal.
Laurier opened the scoring at 10:49 of the first period when Kai Stothers converted a feed from Lucas Chard and Thomas Lenart to give the Golden Hawks a 1-0 lead.
Guelph pressed through the opening frame, but Laurier killed off two early power plays to maintain the advantage.
The game remained scoreless through the second period as the Gryphons continued to generate pressure, but rookie goaltender Andrew Ness turned aside all 21 shots he faced in the middle frame.
Laurier extended its lead early in the third period on the power play when Lenart finished a one-touch play at 7:29. Max-Antoine Melancon added an even-strength goal at 14:14 to make it 3-0.
Guelph broke through on the power play at 16:48, but any momentum was short-lived as Lucas Chard sealed the result with an empty-net goal at 18:03.
Ness finished with a new OUA single-game career-high 50 saves, helping Laurier limit the Gryphons to one goal on four power-play opportunities.Â
The performance marked the second straight 50+ save performance by Laurier's goaltenders after Tristan Malboeuf stopped 54 shots on Friday.Â
Olivier Ciarlo stopped 37 shots for Guelph.
After the game, Golden Hawks forward Caleb Petrie attributed the win to Laurier once again just wanting to win it more.
"The guys just have to keep this energy going as we push for a playoff spot. It's going to be close, but I know we have it in us," he said.
Laurier (11-5-3-1) will travel to Toronto on Thursday to face Toronto Metropolitan University Bold (13-7-0) in a West division battle, which sees both teams tied for second place with 26 points.
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at will be available live on OUA.tv
