Box Score Ragan Danford and Taylor Day had two points each, and Krista Funke posted a shutout to lift the Varsity Blues Women’s Hockey team to a 3-0 victory over the visiting UOIT Ridgebacks Sunday, February 3 at Varsity Arena.
The win improves the Blues regular season record to 15-8-2, as they put a stranglehold on fifth place in the OUA with only one game remaining.
Danford (Madoc, Ont.) and Day (Ilderton, Ont.) were the offensive stars in a tightly contested, defensive game. Danford grabbed two goals, while Day had a goal and an assist. Mississauga native April Looije chipped in from the blueline with two assists of her own.
Sophomore goaltender Krista Funke (Regina) added to her OUA-leading 0.934 save percentage by making 18 saves for her second shutout of the year en route to being named the game’s first star.
Both goaltenders were solid throughout the first two periods, as the two teams fired a combined 31 shots at the net to no avail.
Day had several quality scoring chances in the second period, on one occasion taking a stretch pass up the middle from Looije, and breaking in on goal, but was unable to get the puck past Ridgeback’s goaltender Cassie Charette.
Danford also broke in alone on a shorthanded chance early in the third period. Her shot squeaked through Charette, but dribbled wide of the goal.
The two Blues forward would make good on their opportunities shortly after though, with Day striking first. After a Blues penalty ended to give Toronto a brief powerplay, the rookie forward received a gorgeous stretch pass from Looije, fought off a defender, and raced in alone before chipping the puck over Charette’s outstretched glove.
Danford doubled the lead with 7:20 remaining, when she swatted at a rebound from Day’s initial shot and floated it over the goalie’s head into the net.
The veteran forward added her second of the game into an empty net to cement a 3-0 victory for the Blues.
Rookie goaltender Charette made 29 saves for the Ridgebacks despite the loss.
The Blues will play their final game of the season this Saturday February 9, when they host the Brock Badgers at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is 4 p.m. sharp.
