Brock women’s hockey team take on the Laurier Golden Hawks in second exhibition game of the season.
The Brock women’s hockey team played in their second exhibition match of the season, facing off against the formidable Laurier Golden Hawks on Sept. 21. The clash took place at the SunLife Arena in Waterloo and was a fierce competition between the two teams.
From the outset, it was clear that this match would be a closely contested battle. Laurier’s Eryn Wolfe broke the ice with a goal at 13:34 of the first period, putting the Golden Hawks in the lead. However, the Badgers were quick to respond, with first-year forward Rayna Franklin netting an equalizer at 15:16. This early exchange of goals set the stage for an exciting showdown.
As the game progressed, both teams had their fair share of power-play opportunities, but neither managed to capitalize on them. The goaltenders, Brock’s Ava Cruikshank and Laurier’s Kayla Renaud, showcased their skills with several key saves to keep the game on edge.
The turning point came late in the second period when Laurier’s Kylie Laliberte found the back of the net, giving the Golden Hawks a 2-1 lead. The intensity only increased from there, as the third period was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans of both teams.
Laurier extended their lead early in the third period as Grace Sumi scored at 3:38, followed by Ella Jackson adding to Laurier’s advantage with a power-play goal at 16:18. With Laurier now leading 4-1, it seemed like an uphill battle for the Badgers.
But the Brock team displayed incredible resilience and determination. Marin Green fired in a goal at 16:32, assisted by Hannah Ryan, narrowing the gap to 4-2. The Badgers pushed hard and took full advantage of a power-play opportunity, with Allison Moore scoring at 17:11 to make it 4-3. Despite their valiant efforts, time was not on Brock’s side, and Laurier managed to hold on to their lead until the final whistle.
The game statistics tell a tale of fierce competition, with Brock firing an impressive 39 shots at Laurier’s goal, while Laurier managed 22 shots on Brock’s net. The contest was not just about offence; it was a showcase of solid goaltending, tenacious defence, and determination on both sides of the ice.
The Brock women’s hockey team demonstrated great promise and potential in this exhibition match, even in defeat. First-year forward Rayna Franklin was a standout performer, contributing a goal and an assist. Second-year defenders Allison Moore and Marin Green also found their way onto the scoresheet with crucial goals. Randyll Strongman, Hannah Ryan and Tyra Edl provided crucial assists, highlighting the teamwork and chemistry within the Badgers’ squad.
As the Badgers wrap up this exhibition match with a narrow 4-3 loss to the Laurier Golden Hawks, they maintain an overall record of 1-1-0-0 in their exhibition games. While the final score may not have swung in their favour, this game served as an opportunity for growth and learning. It showcased the Badgers’ fighting spirit and ability to mount a late comeback against a formidable opponent.
Looking ahead, the Brock women’s hockey team will take the valuable lessons learned from this intense match into their upcoming games. With determination and teamwork, they will continue to strive for success as they prepare to face Ontario Tech on Sept. 30 at Canada Games Park.
For tickets to the game click here. For more information on the Brock women’s hockey team visit gobadgers.ca.