ST. CATHARINES – Challenging the Laurier Golden Hawks for the second time in two weeks, the Brock Badgers women's hockey team were stifled in a 1-0 overtime defeat on Saturday night at Canada Games Park.
 
With two victories already this season over the lowly Golden Hawks, Brock entered the evening with odds in their favour, along with momentum from an impressive 3-1 road win at Western just the night prior. Both of those factors played into a strong opening frame for the Badgers as they proceeded to outshoot Laurier 10-2 through the opening 20 minutes. However, Golden Hawks starting goalie Acadia Carlson stood tall in the first period to maintain a stalemate.
 
As the puck dropped on the second period, it appeared as though penalties may have provided an early opportunity for the Badgers as they were able to nearly begin the frame on the powerplay following a Laurier penalty just 30 seconds into the stanza. This was followed by two more Golden Hawks penalties, of which neither Brock was able to find a marker. Midway through the period, Brock nearly did find the back of the net as third-year forward Mishayla Christensen was able to slip down the right wing for an open shot on goal, but was turned aside by the crossbar. From then momentum completely shifted with Brock getting into penalty trouble of their own, taking five of their seven penalties on the night throughout the remainder of the second. Despite Laurier playing nearly the entire final 10 minutes of the period on the pwoerplay, Badgers goaltender Kenzie Harmison did her part in making several saves, alongside some great defensive efforts to block shots and clear the zone.
 
An uneventful third period was unable to solve anything either, pushing the Saturday night game into overtime where the 3-on-3 action opened the ice on both ends of the rink, beginning with another near goal for the Badgers in the opening minute. Carlson made the save however, finishing the night with 26 in the shutout effort. Finally at the four minute mark and on the other end of the ice, the puck slipped through a pari of sticks onto the tape of Laurier's Arielle MacDonald who potted the game-winner for the visitors.
 
With only three games remaining in the regular season schedule the loss places Brock in a tie for fourth in the OUA West division alongside Western. Only the top four teams from each division advance into the postseason.
 
The Badgers will look to secure a playoff push in the final weeks, next hosting the TMU Bold at Canada Games Park on Saturday, Feb. 11. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. in the afternoon with tickets available online at University Tickets. The game can also be streamed via OUA.TV.
 
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 12-11-5-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL)
Conference Record: 9-11-3-1
 
Next game: Saturday, Feb. 11 vs TMU Bold – 2 PM – Canada Games Park

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