February 16, 2010
GOLDEN HAWKS FALL SHORT OF PERFECTION; LANCERS CLINCH FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT
WATERLOO, Ont. - For the second year in a row, the No. 2 nationally-ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (26-1) were unable to complete the perfect season as this year they fell to the Windsor Lancers (13-14) 2-1 in overtime in the final game of the regular season.
The loss qualified Windsor for the playoffs as they jumped ahead of both Brock and Western, while the Golden Hawks continue to hold first in the OUA and as a result receive a bye through the first round. It marked a second straight overtime victory for the Lancers after knocking off the Western Mustangs 2-1 on Saturday.
"It's tough to end a season that way," commented head coach Rick Osborne on the overtime loss. "Two years in a row at 26-1 is not the finish that we were expecting and we are disappointed but we will find a way to get our heads up high and get ready for the playoffs."
Lancer forward Ashley Kirby (LaSalle, Ont.) netted the game winner off of a loose rebound from netminder Liz Knox (Stouffville, Ont.) just over three minutes into the overtime frame. The original shot came from Windsor's Candace Rapchak (Stoney Point, Ont.).
Lancer Kiely Barnett (Newmarket, Ont.) forced overtime by netting the game tying marker with less than two minutes left in the contest as only her second goal of the year.
The goal ended Knox's chances at claiming the CIS records for shutouts in a career and shutouts in a season. Both of which Knox tied previously this season with McGill goalie Charline Labontè. Knox faced 27 shots in the contest while her counterpart Jamie Tessier (Copper Cliff, Ont.) was bombarded with 53.
"Knox will be the difference for us in the playoffs," said Osborne on the goaltending. "She'll bounce back from the game this afternoon and shake it off and be ready for the next one."
Abby Rainsberry (Petrolia, Ont.) scored the lone Golden Hawk goal early in the contest. Rainsberry, a second year centre picked up the marker while on the power play for her fourth goal of the season.
"Although we weren't counting on a loss to end our season, we've now all felt the defeat that we don't want to experience in the post-season," commented team captain Andrea Ironside (Collingwood, Ont.) post-game. "We'll look back at this game later this week and re-evaluate and grow so we can move forward."
The game also marked the final regular season home game for six athletes who plan to move on including Laura Bartolini (Mississauga, Ont.), Vanessa Bennett (Belmont, Ont.), Stephanie Crarey (Newmarket, Ont.) Kate Psota (Burlington, Ont.), Ironside and Knox.
"I'm positive with the leadership and character we have in the dressing room, that we will take another good shot at the playoffs," said Osborne looking ahead to the post-season. Laurier will await the results of the first round in order to see who their competitor will be.
The No. 8 Queen's Gaels also earned a first-round bye with a 19-5-3 record. They closed out the season with a 4-3 shootout loss to Laurier on Saturday followed by a 4-1 win over the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday.
The Lancers will face the No. 9 York Lions (17-9-1) in a sudden death quarter-final on Saturday, while the other quarter-final pits the Guelph Gryphons (14-10-3) against the Toronto Varsity Blues (14-11-2). The Varsity Blues defeated the Gryphons 4-1 in Sunday's season finale.
OUA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 20
Windsor @ York 2 p.m.
Toronto @ Guelph 2 p.m.
Source: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks with files from OUA Communications
The loss qualified Windsor for the playoffs as they jumped ahead of both Brock and Western, while the Golden Hawks continue to hold first in the OUA and as a result receive a bye through the first round. It marked a second straight overtime victory for the Lancers after knocking off the Western Mustangs 2-1 on Saturday.
"It's tough to end a season that way," commented head coach Rick Osborne on the overtime loss. "Two years in a row at 26-1 is not the finish that we were expecting and we are disappointed but we will find a way to get our heads up high and get ready for the playoffs."
Lancer forward Ashley Kirby (LaSalle, Ont.) netted the game winner off of a loose rebound from netminder Liz Knox (Stouffville, Ont.) just over three minutes into the overtime frame. The original shot came from Windsor's Candace Rapchak (Stoney Point, Ont.).
Lancer Kiely Barnett (Newmarket, Ont.) forced overtime by netting the game tying marker with less than two minutes left in the contest as only her second goal of the year.
The goal ended Knox's chances at claiming the CIS records for shutouts in a career and shutouts in a season. Both of which Knox tied previously this season with McGill goalie Charline Labontè. Knox faced 27 shots in the contest while her counterpart Jamie Tessier (Copper Cliff, Ont.) was bombarded with 53.
"Knox will be the difference for us in the playoffs," said Osborne on the goaltending. "She'll bounce back from the game this afternoon and shake it off and be ready for the next one."
Abby Rainsberry (Petrolia, Ont.) scored the lone Golden Hawk goal early in the contest. Rainsberry, a second year centre picked up the marker while on the power play for her fourth goal of the season.
"Although we weren't counting on a loss to end our season, we've now all felt the defeat that we don't want to experience in the post-season," commented team captain Andrea Ironside (Collingwood, Ont.) post-game. "We'll look back at this game later this week and re-evaluate and grow so we can move forward."
The game also marked the final regular season home game for six athletes who plan to move on including Laura Bartolini (Mississauga, Ont.), Vanessa Bennett (Belmont, Ont.), Stephanie Crarey (Newmarket, Ont.) Kate Psota (Burlington, Ont.), Ironside and Knox.
"I'm positive with the leadership and character we have in the dressing room, that we will take another good shot at the playoffs," said Osborne looking ahead to the post-season. Laurier will await the results of the first round in order to see who their competitor will be.
The No. 8 Queen's Gaels also earned a first-round bye with a 19-5-3 record. They closed out the season with a 4-3 shootout loss to Laurier on Saturday followed by a 4-1 win over the Waterloo Warriors on Sunday.
The Lancers will face the No. 9 York Lions (17-9-1) in a sudden death quarter-final on Saturday, while the other quarter-final pits the Guelph Gryphons (14-10-3) against the Toronto Varsity Blues (14-11-2). The Varsity Blues defeated the Gryphons 4-1 in Sunday's season finale.
OUA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 20
Windsor @ York 2 p.m.
Toronto @ Guelph 2 p.m.
Source: Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks with files from OUA Communications
