The Varsity Blues women’s hockey team came away with a 3-2 shoot-out victory over the No. 7 Guelph Gryphons on Sunday, November 28 at Varsity Arena.

Fifth-year forward Emily Milito of Ottawa scored two regulation goals, while rookie forward and Kanata, Ont., native Amanda Ricker notched the lone shoot-out marker and first-year goaltender Nicole Kesteris (Aurora, Ont.) came up with three big saves to secure the 3-2 victory.

With the win, the Blues improve to 9-6-0 and remain in fourth place, while the Gryphons fall to 9-5-0 and is one point ahead in third in the OUA standings.

Milito opened the scoring towards the end of the first period when she received a pass from linemate Britney Kirby and one-timed it passed Gryphons goaltender Danielle Skoufranis (Thornhill, Ont.).

Milito notched her second of the game six minutes into the second period when she jumped on a loose puck amidst a huge scramble in front and found a hole past Skoufranis.

The Gryphons would get on the board with less than five minutes remaining in the second frame when fourth-year forward and Orangeville, Ont., native Tori Woods tipped a Dayna Kanis (Georgetown, Ont.) shot over the shoulder of Kesteris into the top corner of the net.

Toronto held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

Guelph came out eager to score in the third but Kesteris kept the home squad ahead for as long as she could. After the Blues successfully killed a 5-on-3 for 1:22, the Gryphons pulled their goaltender and gained a 6-on-5 advantage for over a minute.

The visiting team would even the score and force overtime with just 57 seconds remaining when Jessica Zerafa picked up a rebound in front and sent a cross-crease pass to fellow Mississauga, Ont., native Jenna Lanzarotta who one-timed it into the open net.

Both teams exchanged scoring opportunities in the overtime period, but both Kesteris and Skoufranis came up with some solid saves to force the shoot out.

Ricker was the lone player to score, pulling a beautiful deke to backhand the puck into the top corner of the net. Kesteris stopped Zerafa, Lanzarotta and Gryphons captain Tamara Bell to secure the win.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice next Sunday, December 5 when they travel north to take on the York Lions. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.