The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s hockey team won a 6-5 overtime thriller over the UOIT Ridgebacks on Saturday, January 16 at Varsity Arena.

Brenley Jorgenson of Kingston Ont. would tie the game with 3.56 seconds left in regulation, and fifth-year veteran Annie DelGuidice (Hamilton, Ont.) was the overtime hero, tipping a shot from Toronto native Natalie Hughes into the back of the net with only 51 seconds left in the extra frame.

With the victory, the Blues improve to 9-7-1 and sit in fifth place in the OUA standings.

The teams traded goals in the opening period, with Lindsay Hill (Ajax, Ont.) and Callie Bazak (Peterborough, Ont.) scoring for the Blues. Meghan Steacy would pot two of her game high hat-trick in the first to keep the Ridgebacks level with the Blues heading into the second frame.

Hughes put the Blues back on top with a great individual effort at the 11:16 mark of the second period. After streaking down the right wing, the third-year defenceman burst past the Ridgeback defender before cutting to the goal to put the Blues back in front 3-2.

Hughes wasn’t done yet, as she found the net on a wonderful shot from the point with just 20 seconds remaining in the period. The Blues held a 4-2 lead at the second intermission.

The Ridgebacks scored early in the third period to bring the deficit within one on a goal by Chrissy Tereshyn (Scarborough, Ont.) and evened the game on the power play, with Staecy (Gananoque, Ont.) potting her third goal of the day.

UOIT completed their comeback with only 1:18 remaining in the third period, taking the lead after coming back from a two-goal deficit. Sarah Worthington (Whitby, Ont.) was able to get a shot off amid a scramble in front of the Blues goal, and through a maze of sticks and skates, the puck managed to cross the goal line to put the Ridgebacks on top 5-4.

However, with only 3.56 seconds left in regulation and the Blues goalie pulled, Jorgensen found the puck within the hash marks and quickly fired a shot underneath UOIT goaltender Emma Thompson (Hastings, Ont.) to tie the game at 5-5.

In overtime, DelGuidice (Hamilton) tipped the puck past Thompson on a shot by Hughes to cap off the thrilling game with only 51 seconds left in the overtime period.

Hughes was named the Varsity Blues player of the game for her three-point performance.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow afternoon (Jan. 17) when they host the Queen’s Gaels at Varsity Arena. The puck is set to drop at 4:00 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.