The No. 2 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat the No. 8 Guelph Gryphons 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night (Feb. 1) in Guelph, Ont.
Team captain Taylor Trussler extended her point-streak to eight games with a natural hat trick, marking the third time in her career she has scored three goals in a game.
The Blues extend their win streak to 15 games and remain atop the OUA East division with a 20-2-0-0 record. Toronto avenged their last loss, which came at the hands of these same Gryphons on Nov. 12, 2022.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Blues had the first good scoring chance off a Céline Frappier breakaway midway through the first period; however, it was the Gryphons who struck first as Hannah Tait buried her own rebound with six minutes to go in the opening frame.
Guelph extended their lead less than three minutes later when Maeve Sutherland-Case made good on a loose puck in the high slot. The home team was up 2-0 after 20 minutes of action.
The Blues cut the deficit to one on the powerplay midway through the second period. Trussler finished off a nice tic-tac-toe passing play with Natasha Athanasakos and Frappier to beat Gryphons netminder Martina Fedel.
Minutes later, Toronto received two minor penalties and was down 5-on-3, but fourth-year Blues goalie Erica Fryer put up a wall to keep the game within reach. The Gryphons took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Trussler evened the game three minutes into the third period as a centering pass from Athanasakos bounced off of her and into the net.
The Blues headed into overtime on the man advantage and wasted no time, as Trussler scored her third of the night 36 seconds into the extra frame.
Fryer ended the night with 29 saves in the win.
UP NEXT: The Blues return home this Saturday, February 4 to host the TMU Bold at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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