The No. 8 University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Queen's Gaels 4-1 in their 2019-20 season opener in Kingston on Friday night (Oct 18).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Gaels got on the board early with a goal from Quinn Johnston just 1:31 into the game. The Blues got a powerplay opportunity and took advantage as Gabrielle De Serres scored on a wrap-around to tie the game up. Queen's would have a couple more scoring chances, but third-year goalie Madeline Albert made great saves to keep the game tied after 20 minutes of action.
 
It was the Blues turn to score early in the second period as rookie Juliette Blais-Savoie took a shot from the point and it deflected off of a Gaels player and into the back of the net. This was Blais-Savoie's first career OUA goal. The Blues controlled the rest of the second period, allowing only four shots against. 
 
In the third frame, the Blues recorded another career first. Rookie forward Natasha Athanasakos buried a goal to push the Blues lead to two. The Blues would then get into some penalty trouble, but managed to kill off four consecutive penalties, including a 5-on-3, with the help of Albert, who made two terrific goal line pad stops. Athanasakos found the back of the net again in the final seconds of the game to round out the scoring. 
 
Athanasakos recorded three points (2G, 1A) in her first regular season game, while Albert made 25 saves in a winning effort.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues head to Oshawa tomorrow (Oct 19) to take on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at 3:30pm.

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