Box Score Photo Gallery

Alie Brind'Amour-McClure's two third-period goals sparked the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the visiting Queen's Gaels on Sunday, February 9 at Varsity Arena.

With the win, the Blues leapfrog Queen's to clinch third place in the OUA standings. Toronto has home ice advantage, and will play the sixth-seeded Western Mustangs in next week's best-of-three OUA quarter-final series. 

Waterdown, Ont., native Alie Brind'Amour-McClure scored twice in the span of 2:37 in the third period to lead the Blues to victory. The goals were the second-year forward's sixth and seventh of the season.

Veteran goaltender Nicole Kesteris was stellar, turning away 32 shots en route to her 13th win of the season. The Aurora, Ont., native has been exceptional all season long, coming into today's action ranked fourth in the CIS with a sparkling .946 save percentage.

The Gaels came out strong in a pivotal final game of the regular season, outshooting the Blues 25-17 in the first two periods. Kesteris was up to the task however, surrendering only one goal, a point shot from Alisha Sealey at the tail-end of a powerplay that found its way through a screen to put Queen's up 1-0 in the first.

The Blues had several chances to draw even on back-to-back powerplays in the second period, including a couple of jam plays at the net orchestrated by sophomore forward Taylor Day (Ilderton, Ont.), but were unable to solve Gaels goaltender Mel Dodd-Moher.

It was not until midway through the final period that the Blues were able to capitalize on the man advantage. Brind'Amour-McClure stationed herself in front of the net, and was able to get her stick on a point shot from Stacey Oue (Scarborough, Ont.), deflecting the puck past Dodd-Moher to tie the game at one apiece.

The goal immediately went to the Blues legs, and the team buzzed around the offensive zone until, two minutes later, Brind'Amour-McClure grabbed a loose puck along the boards, waited for Dodd-Moher to drop her shoulder, and lifted the puck over the goaltender to put the Blues up 2-1.

With third place in their sights, the Blues battened down the hatches for the latter half of the period, and were able to hang on for the win.

Dodd-Moher finished the game with 28 saves for the Gaels.

The Blues recognized their graduating players Stacey Oue, Brittany Kirby, Ragan Danford, Marlie McLaughlin, and Kelly O'Hanlon in a ceremony prior to puck drop. Photos to come. 

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