Toronto's special teams were the difference on Friday night (Nov. 12), as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Queen's Gaels 4-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED: The Queen's Gaels found the scoresheet first when rookie forward Sophie Hudson scored on the powerplay. Just over a minute later, the Blues had a powerplay of their own, and Gabrielle De Serres wristed a shot from the point that got past Gaels goalie Kathryn Jalink. The teams were all tied up after the first period.

The Blues put more pressure on the Gaels in the second as Sophie Grawbarger was able to take advantage of a misplayed puck from the Queen's netminder to give Toronto a 2-1 advantage. With less than seven minutes left in the second period, fourth-year forward Louie Bieman made a sensational play, shooting it top shelf on a two-on-one to add to the Toronto lead. After two periods, the Blues had already put 32 shots on the net.

Toronto controlled the pace of play in the third, and captain Laura Ellis added a fourth goal for the Blues firing a shot from the left side past Jalink's blocker. The Blues had three of their four goals come from special teams.

Amherstburg, Ont. native Erica Fryer turned away 15 shots to earn her second win of the season.

UP NEXT: The Blues will travel to Kingston, Ont. tomorrow night (Nov. 13) to play the Queen's Gaels again in the second game of a back-to-back. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.

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