By Gabriel Rodrigues
On Sunday, Nov. 16, Laurentian’s women’s hockey team gave up a two goal third period lead at home, eventually losing in overtime, 3-2, to the York Lions. The loss left the women 1-6-3 on the season.
In the first, Laurentian held York to little chances in the opening frame, as the Lions managed nine shots while the Voyageurs only had six in a scoreless period.
The second provided the games’ first goal when Laurentian defenceman Renee Leclair capitalized on the power play to give the Voyageurs a 1-0 lead going into the last period.
In the third, Laurentian looked to have taken control of the game when forward Samantha Morell stripped a York player of the puck and dangled by the Lions’ goalie, Megan Lee, to give the Voyageurs a 2-0 lead.
However, the Lions were not to be tamed so early, as York stormed back and tied the game curtsey of Lisa Stathopoulos’ two goals, sending this game to overtime.
Within the extra frame, York’s Stathopoulos struck again, as she solidified her natural hat trick beating Voyageurs’ goalie, Laura Deller.
Laurentian’s Deller stopped 30 of 33 shots in the Voyageurs’ loss.
York’s Lee made 23 saves to backstop the Lions in the win.
Laurentian’s coach, Stacey Colarossi, said her team needs to learn how to close out games.
“We can’t sustain a lead,” she said. “We played an outstanding first period, and got that lead, but some of our youthful players gear away from the game plan. We try to free wheel a little bit and it only takes one to do that and the wheels come off the bus. It’s frustrating but we need to move forward and try to get wins next weekend.”
This was Laurentian’s last home game until the new year. The Voyageurs next home games will be on Jan. 17 and 18 when they host Waterloo at 7:20 p.m. and Laurier at 1:50 p.m. at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
