The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team look to capture their first McCaw Cup since 2003 as they travel to Guelph, Ont., to battle the Gryphons in a winner-takes-all showdown this Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Both teams earned berths into the 2019 U SPORTS national championship, March 14-17, following their semifinal series victories last weekend. The No. 3 Blues took three games to upset the No. 2 and OUA defending champion Western Mustangs, while the No. 1 Gryphons swept the No. 5 Ryerson Rams in their semifinal showdown.

The season series between Toronto and Guelph ended a 1-1 tie. After dropping the first game 3-1 at home, Toronto shutout Guelph on the road in the final regular season game of the season 1-0, three weeks ago. 

Offensively, the Blues have and will continue to rely on numerous individuals to step up. Eight different players have found the back of the net during this playoff run, with 11 players recording two or more points. Third-year forward Mathilde De Serres leads the team in assists (4) and points (5), while Kassie Roache and Jessica Robichaud both have a team-high three goals.

The key to this matchup will be the defence and goaltending. Rookie goalie Erica Fryer has been a key cog to the team's success. She has allowed fewer than two goals in 4-of-6 playoff contests.

Toronto defensive corps is led by Cristine Chao. The Blues will be in tough shutting down the OUA's best offence as the fire power of veterans Kaitlin Lowy and Claire Merrick are the headliners for the Gryphons with a playoff-high six points so far. The team ranked first in the OUA in goals per game during the regular season and playoffs.

The Gryphons contain a top notch goalie of their own in Valerie Lamenta. The Montreal native posted an OUA best 1.23 goals against average and .952 save percentage. She was between the pipes for the Gryphons in their last two championships and didn't allow more than a goal in both contests.

Discipline is going to be a key area for both sides, since two of the best power plays will be in the building. The Varsity Blues held the best unit during the regular season at 24.5% and are 16-4 in the regular season and playoffs when they register a powerplay marker. On the other, Guelph has converted on 29.4% with the extra man during the playoffs.

Tickets are on sale for Saturday's game here. The McCaw Cup final will also be streamed live on OUA.tv.

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