WATERLOO – The Brock Badgers men's hockey team are forced to face an extra game in their Best-of-3 opening round playoff series versus the Laurier Golden Hawks following a 4-1 loss in Game 2 on Saturday night.
 
After earning a Game 1 victory on Wednesday, the Badgers entered the Saturday evening contest in Waterloo with the opportunity to eliminate the Golden Hawks from the OUA playoffs. However, costly turnovers in their own end resulted in critical late game goals for the home side, and the first win for Laurier over Brock since 2017.
 
Following a quiet first period which appeared like a feeling out process between the two sides, scoring picked up in the second frame. Brock were the first to break through as a cross-ice pass from Christian Girhiny found the stick of Cameron Gaylor who tipped the puck past Laurier goaltender Christian Propp to hand the Badgers a 1-0 lead.

However, Laurier answered right back as Nick Giunta scored for the Golden Hawks just 30 seconds late. Despite conceding the equalizer, Brock goalie Roman Basran continued to deliver strong play in net through the remainder of the period, including a spectacular effort late in the frame where he would stack the pads to keep the contest even 1-1 after 40 minutes.
 

MHKY | Roman Basran makes a BIG save to keep the score 1-1 between Brock and Laurier at the end of the 2nd period. pic.twitter.com/bqizPsGeeQ

— Brock Badgers (@brockbadgers) February 19, 2023

 
For the Badgers, the third period proved to be the difference-maker as Laurier capitalized on two mishaps in Brock's own end. First, Caleb Rich broke the stalemate in favour of the Golden Hawks just three minutes into the third period. Then Matthew Zebedee was the beneficiary of another Badgers turnover at the midway mark tallying another Laurier goal. The Golden Hawks would add one more empty-netter to close out the Game 2 victory.

Basran finished the evening with 28 total saves for Brock, while Propp registered 27.
 
The Badgers now return to Canada Games Park to host Laurier in a deciding Game 3 tomorrow evening. Puck drop for the contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on University Tickets, while all the action will also be streamed on OUA.TV.
 
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 22-11-2 (W-L-OT)
Conference Record: 17-9-1
 
Next game: Sunday, Feb. 19 vs Laurier Golden Hawks – 6 PM – Canada Games Park
 
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