Rookie call-up Pharoah leads Laurier to 3-1 win over York

WATERLOO, Ont., (November 6, 2014) – Rookie goaltender Harrison Pharoah of Bracebridge, Ont., made 35 saves in his OUA debut to lead the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks men's hockey team past the York Lions 3-1 on Thursday night.

Pharoah, who was called up from Laurier's Intramural league after injuries to both Christopher Festarini and Vinnie Merante, was outstanding for the Golden Hawks (3-5-0). With just two practices under his belt, the former South Muskoka Bear didn't give up a goal until midway through the third period as he allowed his team to build a 3-0 lead en route to their third win of the season.

Offensively, the Hawks were paced by Ryan Lopes of Brampton, Ont., and Kyle Morrison of Mississauga, Ont. Laurier's two leading scorers each recorded a goal and an assist on the night, with Morrison netting the game-winning goal just over a minute into the third period.

For Lopes, he has already matched his career high for points in a season through just eight games and is tied for the team lead in goals with five and points with 10. As for Morrison, after picking up just an assist in six games in his rookie season, the former Truro Bearcat now has nine points to sit second on the team in scoring.

Team captain Tyler Stothers of Oakville, Ont., opened the scoring for the purple and gold in the first period, his fifth tally of the year.

Michael Santini of Woodbridge, Ont., replied with the lone goal for the Lions (3-7-0) while second year goaltender Chris Perugini of King City, Ont., picked up his seventh loss of the season making 30 of 33 saves on the night.

For the Hawks, the win is their third in a row on home ice to open the season, a feat that the purple and gold have not accomplished since the 2009-10 campaign.

Laurier will look to build on this win as they travel to Brantford to host the Ryerson Rams (5-3-) Saturday afternoon in Laurier Brantford's annual Homecoming game. Puck drop is at 4 p.m. at Brantford Civic Centre.

Source: Laurier Golden Hawks