After dropping a 2-1 decision in Game 1 last Wednesday in Waterloo, Laurier responded with a composed and opportunistic effort on the road to even the best-of-three series at one game apiece.

Ty Petrou opened the scoring just before the midway point of the first period, finishing a setup from Max-Antoine Melancon and Kai Stothers to give the Golden Hawks a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Guelph equalized two minutes into the second when Nolan Dann, but Laurier answered with two goals before the intermission.

Lucas Chard restored the lead six minutes later, converting a pass from Thomas Lenart and Alec McDonald.

McDonald added to the cushion with 2:44 left in the frame, burying a feed from Petrou and Melancon to make it 3-1 heading into the third.

The Gryphons pushed back in the final frame. Ethan Doyle cut the deficit to one just a minute in before Duncan Penman tied the game three minutes later, setting up a tense finish.

Chard delivered the eventual game-winner with under five minutes to go, wiring home a pass from Travis Verbeek and Lenart to put Laurier ahead for good.

With Guelph pressing and the net empty late, Verbeek scored before Chard completed the hat trick with 42 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Chard finished with three goals and an assist, while Lenart recorded three helpers.

Petrou and McDonald each added a goal and an assist as Laurier's top offensive contributors.

Laurier went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Guelph capitalized twice with the man advantage.

With the series now tied at a game apiece, a decisive Game 3 is set for Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. back at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. 

Tickets are available at tickets.laurierathletics.com, and the game will be streamed live on Ontario University Athletics TV.