Third-year forward Kelly O’Hanlon scored 45 seconds into overtime to secure a 4-3 Varsity Blues victory over the Waterloo Warriors in OUA women’s hockey action on Friday night (Jan. 6) at Varsity Arena.

After a scoreless first period, fifth-year forward Brenley Jorgensen notched her 50th career goal 31 seconds into the second frame. The Kingston, Ont., added her second goal of the game with 15 seconds remaining in the third period to force overtime.

“We showed good character and battled back after a not-so-great start,” said Varsity Blues first-year head coach Vicky Sunohara. “We definitely have to do a better job of playing a full 60 minutes, but I’m happy with the way we came together to get the two points.”

Waterloo evened the score at 1-1 midway through the second frame off a faceoff play as Lindsey Ceasar (Owen Sound, Ont.) fired a puck at the net and fourth-year forward Jessica Tracey (Woodslee, Ont.) was there to bury the rebound. 

The Blues peppered Waterloo netminder Rebecca Bouwhuis with shots but the visiting squad would get the go-ahead goal.  Warriors veteran defenceman Sarah Endicott caught U of T goaltender Krista Funke (Regina) out of her net during a clearing attempt and fired the puck into the open mesh for the shorthanded marker.

The Blues put on the pressure on the ensuing play but the Warriors headed into the second intermission with a 2-1 advantage.

The play went back-and-forth to start the third period but things got interesting when Funke denied second-year Waterloo forward Kelly Toms on a breakaway.  As the play went down the ice, Warriors defenceman Kate Wagner mishandled the puck at the side of the net on a breakout attempt and Blues rookie forward Jacqueline Scheffel (Waubaushene, Ont.) was there to poke it in and even the score.

Waterloo responded just over two minutes later as Julia Endincott sent a point shot through traffic to find the back of the net.

With Funke on the bench, the Blues tied the game again with just 15 seconds remaining as Jorgensen potted her second of the game off a rebound at the side of the net.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice tomorrow afternoon as they head north to take on the York Lions. The puck drops at 2 p.m.

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