An incredible season came to an end for the No. 1 Toronto Varsity Blues Wednesday night at Varsity Arena. Hosting the No. 7 Nipissing Lakers in an OUA semifinal, the Blues came up just short of hosting a second straight McCaw Cup, falling 3-2 to Nipissing.

HOW IT HAPPENED: In front of a raucous home crowd, the Blues took to the ice with momentum on their side. However, the crowd noise did not prevent the visitors from jumping out to an early lead. Only 1:15 into the game, Madison Desmerais was able to get the puck past Blues goalie Erica Fryer to give Nipissing a 1-0 lead. Quickly swinging momentum back into their favour though, the Blues came up with a response. Crashing towards the crease, a loose puck wound up on the stick of first-year forward Sophie Grawbarger and she shoveled it home to tie the game. Then only 23 seconds later, the Blues took their first lead. Driving hard towards the Nipissing goal, Tecumseh, Ont., product Celine Frappier tipped a perfect pass from Lauren MacDonnell past Lakers netminder Chloe Marshall. Shortly before the period expired, the Lakers would get back on even terms when Jetta Derenoski scored with 1:23 to play in the frame.

All squared up at two a piece after twenty minutes, both sides entered the middle period looking to jump back out in front. After exchanging chances, it was Derenoski who would score her second of the game midway through the second to put Nipissing up by one.

Despite big pushes of offensive throughout the remainder of the second, as well as the third period, the Blues were unable to find the equalizer and saw their season come to a close.

The Lakers will now return home to host the Brock Badgers in the 2022 McCaw Cup on Saturday.
           
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