First year Hawks Mitch Good works to beat an RMC defender. Photo Credit: Jayson Childs
WATERLOO, Ont. - The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks continued their preseason action as they defeated the Queen's Gaels 4-3 in overtime and lost to the RMC Paladins 4-3 in a shootout.
In the Hawks first game they struck early as Craig Voakes (St. Thomas, Ont.) slipped the puck past Mackenzie Ball (Corbyville, Ont.). The visitors would tie it up with less than minute left in the first period on a goal from Jeff Johnstone. The Gaels would keep the momentum going, with Chris Murphy (Ottawa, Ont.) scoring just 12 seconds into the second period. First year Hawk Bradley Jackson (St. Catharines, Ont.) stepped up to score the equalizer and then Jean-Michel Rizk (Dunham, Que.) gave Laurier the go ahead goal. The Gaels, not to be outdone, scored with less than five minutes remaining to send the game to overtime. Team captain Rizk wasted no time, scoring the winner just over one minute into the extra frame.
In Laurier’s second game, the Golden Hawks got out to an early three nothing lead on goals from Rizk, Jason Bergeron (Ancaster, Ont.) and Nathan Peacock (Tilsonburg, Ont.). The Paladins would storm back with a power play marker late in the second and then a penalty shot that beat Hawk netminder Jeff MacDougald (Shallow Lake, Ont.) putting RMC was back in the game. A even strength goal from Michael Soros (Ottawa, Ont.) with less than five minutes left completed the comeback for the Paladins. Jeff Oke (Grand Bend, Ont.) netted the game winner as the Paladins goalie Andrew Flemming (Quispamsis, N.B.) shut the door on all three Hawk shooters.
Laurier will now embark on a two game road trip to take on NCAA teams from Bowling Green State and Ferris State. The Hawks will play the BGSU Falcons on Saturday, October 3rd at 12 p.m. and then the FSU Bulldogs on Sunday, October 4th at 2:05 p.m.
