Box Score Callie Bazak’s overtime goal lifted the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Western Mustangs on Friday, October 19 at Varsity Arena.
 
With the win, the Blues improve to 3-1-1 this season, and move into a tie with Western and Windsor for fourth place in the OUA.
 
Sophomore goaltender Krista Funke (Regina, Sask.) was solid in her third start of the season, making 30 saves to pick up her second win. U of T got goals from Bazak (Peterborough, Ont.), Sonja Weidenfelder (Toronto), and Jacqueline Scheffel (Waubaushene, Ont.) who added an assist en route to being named the game’s third star.
 
The Blues came out buzzing in the first frame, opening the scoring seven minutes into the period. Rookie forward Taylor Day (Ilderton, Ont.) jumped on a loose puck behind the net and whipped it out front where it was banged home by Scheffel. But a parade to the penalty box would ultimately cost Toronto. The Blues killed off 4-of-5 powerplays in the first, but Western finally broke through at 9:05, when Jessica Ross scored on a rebound.
 
The game continued to open up in the second period, with both teams trading odd-man rushes. After Funke made an impressive shoulder save on a breakaway chance by Stacey Scott, and Western netminder Kelly Campbell stopped Taylor Day on a partial break, Jessica Ross managed to put the Mustangs up 2-1, converting on a 2-on-1 rush.
 
The Blues regained their momentum in the third period however, outshooting the Mustangs 19-9. Then, just 1:53 into the period, with Western’s Ally Galloway in the box, Weidenfelder deflected a point shot from Brittany Kirby (Vancouver) past Campbell to tie the game at two.
 
Both teams had chances to go ahead in the latter half of the third. Western forward Casey Rosen made an impressive toe drag move but was denied by Funke, and Day raced into the Mustangs zone and fired a shot through the defenders legs, but couldn’t beat Campbell.
 
Regulation time would end with the game still tied 2-2, and set the stage for Bazak’s overtime heroics. After Funke stood tall on a couple of goal line stands to keep the Blues alive, Bazak took a pass from Scheffel and raced up the ice. The veteran forward beat Western’s defence with two inside-out moves and flung the puck into the top corner to give the Blues the win.
 
Western’s Jessica Ross had two goals, and was named the game’s second star.
 
The Blues next game is Saturday, October 20 at home, against the University of Windsor Lancers. Game time is 4 p.m.