After starting the season 4-0, the Gaels welcomed the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Oct. 18 and the Laurier Golden Hawks on Oct. 19 at the Memorial Centre, splitting the weekend with a loss to the Ridgebacks and a win over the Golden Hawks.
The Ridgebacks opened the scoring nearly 10 minutes into the first period, and it wasn’t until the first minute of the second period that the Gaels evened the score with a goal from Sam Marburg, ArtSci ’27.
Just four minutes later, the Ridgebacks broke the deadlock with another goal, finally icing the game 3-1 with an insurance marker late in the third period.
This marked the first loss of the Gaels’ season, and although a disappointing way to kick off homecoming weekend, goaltender Christian Purboo, ArtSci ’25, still had an outstanding game, saving 27 of 30 shots faced.
The following night, the Gaels found themselves back at the Memorial Centre, where they dropped the puck against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
During their preseason matchup, the Gaels beat the Golden Hawks in a close-fought 3-1 victory. This time around, however, the Gaels improved upon their previous performance, shutting Laurier out 3-0.
It was a quiet first period, with the Gaels failing to convert on two powerplay opportunities. In the second, Nolan Hutcheson, ArtSci ’25, scored his fifth of the season, putting the Gaels ahead 1-0.
Not even five minutes later, forward Ethan Larmand, ArtSci ’28, gave the Gaels a two-goal lead, scoring a breakaway goal off of an assist from defenseman Michael Renwick, ArtSci ’27.
The Gaels were finally able to breakthrough on the powerplay at the start of the third period, with Holden Katzalay, ArtSci ’25, connecting with Larmand and Owen Lalonde, ArtSci ’25, for their first and only powerplay goal of the game.
Aidan Spooner, Comm ’27, recorded his and the Gaels’ first shutout of the season, making 18 saves in a perfect game for the Gaels’ netminder.
The Gaels will continue this momentum as they travel to Ottawa on Oct. 26 to take on the Carleton Ravens. The Ravens are currently 2-3 this season and are sitting sixth in the OUA.
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