The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team came back to defeat the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 3-2 on Friday night (Nov 8) at Varsity Arena.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Blues went down early after Nicole Escano and Alex Frigon scored within 11 seconds of each other to give the Ridgebacks a two goal lead just over five minutes into the game. Toronto peppered Ontario Tech goalie Celine Tessier with 15 shots in the first period but none got by her.
 
Toronto's special teams shined in the second period, with a combined total of 14 penalty minutes being handed out between both teams. The Blues got a chance on the power play first and capitalized. Taylor Trussler's shot banked off of Stephanie Ayres and found its way past Tessier to cut the Ridgebacks lead in half. Lauren MacDonnell headed to the Blues penalty box giving Ontario Tech the chance to regain a two goal lead. Instead, Trussler blocked a shot, raced up the ice, and roofed her second shorthanded goal of the season, to tie the game up. The Blues had the momentum on their side as they headed to the dressing room after 40 minutes of action.
 
The third period was a back and forth affair. U of T took 11 shots in the frame, while Ontario Tech took nine on Blues second year goalie Erica Fryer, who was slotted into the game at the beginning of the second period. It looked like the game would be heading to overtime, until Toronto rookie forward Natasha Athanasakos made a nice move to get a pass to Jana Headrick at the point. Headrick's shot got tipped up and over Tessier by Breanna Berndsen, giving the Blues the lead and the win with 32 seconds left.
 
Berndsen's game-winning goal was her first of the season and Fryer made 20 saves in the winning effort.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues are back in action tomorrow (Nov 9) as they take on the visiting Queen's Gaels at 7:00pm at Varsity Arena.

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