OTTAWA, Ont. – For the first time this postseason, the Laurier Golden Hawks found themselves on the wrong side of the scoresheet, dropping Game 1 of the McCaw Cup semifinals 4-1 to the Ottawa GeeGees on Thursday night at the Minto Sports Complex. 

Despite finishing first overall in the OUA standings, Laurier opened the series on the road due to travel distance. Having had success in Ottawa over the past few seasons, the Golden Hawks arrived looking to carry their momentum into the semifinal match-up. 

Between the pipes, Kayla Renaud made her fifth consecutive start, turning aside 18 shots in the loss. At the other end, Ottawa goaltender Clara Genier was much busier, stopping 39 Laurier shots. 

For the fourth straight postseason game, the purple and gold opened the scoring. After Laurier won the puck battle behind the net, Sydney Brooks collected it along the end boards and sent a centring pass to the front of the crease. Rookie and Ottawa native Zoey Dupuis got a stick on it, executing a perfect tip for her first career playoff goal. 

Ottawa, who was coming off their own momentum after reverse sweeping the defending McCaw Cup champions, the Toronto Varsity Blues, in the quarterfinals, would find the equalizer later in the frame as Alex Ferguson fired a low shot from the point through traffic that found its way to the back of the net. 

The GeeGees grabbed their first lead of the contest in the second period when another point shot found the back of the net, this time off the stick of Reece Mepham. The goal marked the first time in four consecutive playoff games that Laurier had trailed. 

Ottawa then extended its lead early in the third period with another power-play marker. After Laurier failed to clear the zone, the GeeGees held the line and worked the puck to Gillian Warren, who fired home their third goal from the right circle. 

Special teams proved to be a major factor in the game, with 13 minor penalties assessed overall. Laurier went 0-for-6 on the power play, while Ottawa capitalized on two of its seven opportunities. 

"It had a huge impact; they walked away with two power-play goals to our zero – that was the difference-maker in the game," said Laurier's manager of women's hockey operations and head coach, Kelly Paton.  

Despite the loss, Paton was pleased with elements of Laurier's five-on-five play. 

"I thought our 5-on-5 play was solid. Our process was good, and we played a connected game. I liked our defensive play and our ability to protect the slot." 

With just under five minutes remaining in regulation, Paton pulled Renaud for the extra attacker in hopes of sparking a comeback. Ottawa nearly capitalized moments later with an empty-net chance, but captain Hayley Szymanowski used her body to block the attempt and keep it a two-goal game. 

The GeeGees would eventually seal the result, however, when Laurier lost the line, Ottawa broke out on a 2-on-1 rush. Ferguson buried her second goal of the game to secure the 4-1 victory. 

The physical nature of the contest was noticeable throughout the night, something Paton said is typical of playoff hockey. 

"I like the playoff physicality. I think today our discipline could have been better with penalties, and a smaller rink always welcomes more contact." 

Now trailing the series for the first time this postseason, the Golden Hawks will look to respond in a must-win Game 2 on home ice Saturday evening at RIM Park. 

"We are excited to be back in Waterloo and play in front of our fans," Paton said. "We've responded well all year to adversity, so I wouldn't expect anything different going into Saturday. We're excited for Game 2, and we'll be ready." 

Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. 

Tickets are available at tickets.laurierathletics.com, with the first 200 Laurier students scoring a free ticket sponsored by RBC.