Daniels leads Hawks over Guelph

Third-year Laurier defenceman Garrett Sinfield was the surprise high scorer with two goals, while veteran forwards Colin Williams and Ryan Bellows each added two assists as the Golden Hawks beat the visiting Guelph Gryphons 4-1 on Friday night at the Waterloo Recreation Complex. Sinfield’s markers were the first two of his Laurier career despite being in his third season for the purple and gold.

Goalie Ryan Daniels was the real hero of the night making 43 saves for the Hawks as the home team got outshot badly by a count of 44-24 (35-14 after two periods). Nevertheless a newly united line of Williams between Bellows and rookie sniper Thomas Middup was responsible for a combined six points on the night as the Hawks gained some measure of revenge over the Gryphons who eliminated them from the playoffs last year.

The win is big as it vaults Laurier into fourth place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Western Conference, one game before the holiday break. As well, since Waterloo lost to Brock the same night, the Hawks can move into a tie for third place with a win on Saturday night.

Saturday night the Hawks will entertain the OUA West’s last place York Lions at the Waterloo Recreation Complex. Traditionally Laurier has had great success against the Toronto-based squad, not having lost to them since 2007; while their last two matchups in Waterloo have yielded 8-3 and 11-2
blowouts.

Nevertheless it is crucial for Laurier not to take the Lions lightly as they have already scored upsets over Lakehead and Waterloo this season.

The game goes Saturday at 7:30.