The Varsity Blues women's hockey team dropped a close 3-1 decision to the No. 8 Queen's Gaels on Friday night (Feb. 9) at Varsity Arena.

Breanna Berndsen picked up the lone goal and Madeline Albert made 19 saves in the losing effort. 

The Blues drop to 13-0-8-2 (W-OTW-L-OTL), but remain in fourth place, while Queen's maintain the top spot in the province with a 14-3-3-3 record on the season.

It was a defensive affair in the first 10 minutes. Albert made a massive save just past the midway mark by stretching out behind her to deny Queen's of the first goal and the team rallied around it. Just a minute later off the faceoff in the Queen's zone, Berndsen picked up the loose puck, created space in the slot and sniped her second of the season. It stood as the lone goal to hand the Blues the 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes.

In the first meeting that ended in a 4-1 loss for Toronto, the OUA leading scorer Katrina Manoukarakis potted two goals in one period. She was at it again, finding the back of the net twice, once on the powerplay and the other late in the period. Queen's was up 2-1 after 40 minutes.

U of T were unable to solve Queen's goalie Stephanie Pascal the rest of the way.  

The Blues play their last game of the regular season next week (Feb. 16) against the York Lions (6-0-12-3). Puck drop is at 7 p.m., atCanlan Ice Sports.

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