WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks built an early three-goal cushion and withstood a second-period surge before earning a 4–3 overtime victory over the Western Mustangs on Saturday night in front of an Alumni Night crowd at the Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex.

Laurier controlled the opening period, scoring three times in a span of 9:37 to seize momentum. Lucas Chard opened the scoring at 6:18, finishing a setup from Callum Chisholm and Travis Verbeek for his first of the night.

Just 1:05 later, the Golden Hawks struck on the power play as Justin O'Donnell converted a backdoor chance off feeds from Max-Antoine Mélançon and Ty Petrou. Laurier capitalized again with the man advantage late in the frame when Chard notched his second of the period at 15:55, burying a chance from Kai Stothers to make it 3–0 after 20 minutes.

Western responded in the second period with three unanswered goals, all coming during sustained pressure. Nicholas Yearwood led the comeback, scoring twice on the power play. He got the Mustangs on the board at 4:56 and added his second at 9:24, both assisted by Zach Power, with Eric Van Impe also picking up a helper on the latter.

Nathan Sauder completed the comeback at 18:15, finishing a play from Zac McCann and Aidan Prueter to tie the game 3–3 heading into the third period.

The third frame remained scoreless despite several power-play opportunities at both ends, as Laurier killed off key penalties and limited Western chances to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Golden Hawks kept their composure and were rewarded at 3:37 when Mélançon ended the contest with an unassisted five-hole goal to secure the 4–3 win.

Laurier finished the night 2-for-7 on the power play, scoring twice in the opening period, while Western went 2-for-4 with the man advantage, both goals coming from Yearwood in the second. The teams were even at three goals apiece at even strength.

Game notes:
Chard led Laurier with two goals, while Mélançon recorded a goal and an assist, including the overtime winner.

O'Donnell added a power-play marker in the first period.

Goaltender Andrew Ness was steady after the opening frame, helping Laurier weather Western's second-period push and keep the game level into overtime.

The win came in front of 170 fans at home ice.

Up next:
Laurier hits the road to face the Brock Badgers on Friday, Jan. 30, with puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. at Canada Games Park in St. Catharines. Fans can follow along on X (@WLUAthletics) or watch live on OUA.tv.