Rams-Hawks preview

Rams: 1-1-0 Last Game: 6-0L vs. Queen’s.  Season Series: 0-0-0

Hawks: 1-1-0 Last Game: 2-0W @ Windsor. Season Series: 0-0-0

Storyline:

The Rams split their opening weekend with a thrilling win over Toronto and a decisive loss to Queen’s. Looking to rebound after Sunday’s loss they face a stiff test against the defending OUA champions, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks. The key for the Rams will be to avoid the slow start that plagued them against Queen’s. The Hawks scored twice in the first four minutes against Windsor, so weathering the early storm is crucial.

The Rams will also need to stay disciplined against a gritty Hawks team. Laurier already have 28 penalty minutes through two games, to the Rams 16, so if the Rams are patient, they’ll get their opportunity with man advantage.

Emily Popelar is also expected to return to the lineup after suffering an injury against Toronto.

The Competition:

If there is a measuring stick in the OUA, it is the Golden Hawks.  Last year’s OUA champions, the Hawks spent five consecutive weeks at number one in the CIS top-10 rankings before winning the league and finishing fourth in the country. 

The Hawks offence is led by two of the top five scorers from last season, Tammy Freiburger and Laura Brooker, but the Hawks have scoring depth too. Devon Skeats is coming off of a 19-point (8G 11A) campaign and a strong playoff scoring seven points (5G 2A) in seven games. 

Anchoring the back end is captain Fiona Lester and goaltender Erika Thunder. Lester posted 13 points (4G 9A) in 26 games last season with one assist so far in 2012-13. Thunder is coming off of a stellar rookie season and already has one shutout this year.

Players to Watch:

Ryerson: Emily Rose Galliani Pecchia

Currently Ryerson’s leading (and only) goal scorer, Galliani Pecchia leads the Rams attack going into Saturday’s tilt. Galliani-Pecchia also scored the game-deciding goal in the sixth round of the shootout against University of Toronto in the Rams season opener. OUA Uncovered has her and linemate Melissa Wronzberg as Ryerson’s top offensive threats this season.

Laurier: Tammy Freiburger

Freiburger led the OUA with 18 goals last season and finished fourth in points with 30. Laurier’s leading scorer also put up seven points [3G 4A] in seven playoff games, en route to the OUA title. So far this season, Freiburger has one goal, but she’ll look to break out against the Rams. She had three assists in two games vs. Ryerson last season.

 
Between the Pipes:

Ryerson: Brianna Tremblay

Tremblay will make her second start of the season on Saturday. The rookie goaltender made 27 saves in regulation, and six more in the shootout, to win the season opener against Toronto.

Laurier: Erika Thunder

Thunder entered the season as one of the OUA’s top goaltenders, boasting a 19-1 record with a 1.30 GAA and .930 SV%. However, Thunder stumbled in the Hawks season opener, allowing three goals on five shots in a 7-2 loss to Western. The sophomore goalie responded with a 31-save shutout, so the Rams can expect to see a confident goaltender, should she play.

They Said It:

“If we can keep the score low and be in it in the third period, then we’ll have a shot to win. We certainly have to take care of the details first in the first two periods and try to control the consistent push they always bring." - Head Coach Lisa Haley.

Webcast:

Ryerson Rams Network