The No. 1 Toronto Varsity Blues are now two wins away from repeating as McCaw Cup champions following a 2-0 quarterfinal victory over the Queen's Gaels Saturday (Mar. 12) at Varsity Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: It certainly did not come easy for the Blues on Saturday as they battled a playoff-ready and determined Queen's Gaels squad. In the end though, Toronto was able to withstand some early pressure and ultimately continue their playoff journey.

In the opening frame, the Blues did their best to create chances, and they did. However, equal to the task was Queen's netminder Makenzy Arsenault who turned aside all eight of Toronto's first period shots. Looking to put the Blues on upset alert during the opening 20 minutes of play, the Gaels were able to create havoc in Toronto's end at times as well, but Blues goalie Erica Fryer did not blink, stopping all seven shots she faced as the two teams remained scoreless heading to the second.

Although the scoreboard did not reflect it, Toronto began to establish and maintain the game's momentum. Forcing nearly all of the play in the middle frame towards the visitor's end, Toronto peppered the Gaels with 15 shots to Queen's three. Just like in the first period though, the score remained 0-0.

Having yet to lose in regulation this season, the Blues found themselves in dangerous territory entering the third period. With the 2021-22 OUA playoffs only being a best-of-one, Toronto all of sudden was potentially down to their final 20 minutes. The Blues had other ideas though. Continuing to pressure the Gaels, Toronto crashed the net time and time again, and just over a minute into the third, they were finally rewarded. With a loose puck bouncing around the crease, Celine Frappier jumped on it and fired it home to put the Blues up one. Then less than two minutes later, Toronto added to their lead. In a similar fashion to Frappier, fourth-year forward Louie Bieman got her stick on a rebound and quickly put it past Arsenault.

Although the Gaels tried to push back late, the Blues proved to be too much to overcome.

Maintaining her incredible form from the regular season, Fryer did not allow Queen's on the scoreboard, shutting out the Gaels by making 16 saves.
           
UP NEXT: Toronto will now lock horns with the Nipissing Lakers in the OUA East final, with a spot in the 2022 McCaw Cup on the line. The contest is scheduled to be played on March 16.

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