First-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight notched a hattrick in leading the No. 2 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team to a dominant 6-2 win over the Windsor Lancers in their regular-season finale on Saturday night (Feb. 18) in Windsor, Ont.
With the win, the Blues set a new program record for most regular season wins, surpassing the 2000-01 Blues (22) with a final record of 23- 2-2, in first place in the OUA East division.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Toronto will take on the TMU Bold in a best-of-three OUA quarter-final series next week (Feb. 22-26). Schedule details will be announced on Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED: After a scoreless first period, Emily Eikelboom opened the scoring for the Lancers. That lead didn't last long though as Abby Howland evened out the score with a short-handed goal just a minute later.
McKnight potted her first of the night off of a Maddy Walsh rebound to give the Blues their first lead of the game.
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After KayCyn Hernandez tied things up for the Lancers, the Blues would bounce back by way of team captain Taylor Trussler. Setting up at the top of the faceoff circle, a shot from fourth-year defenceman Caroline Eagles went wide on the Lancers netminder. As the puck ricocheted off the back glass, it ended up in the lap of Trussler, who buried the goal for the Blues. U of T was up 3-2 after 40 minutes of action.
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McKnight buried an Eagles' rebound to double the Blues lead just 24 seconds into the third period and competed the hattrick on a similar play midway through the frame. Veteran forward Nikki McDonald added an empty-netter, and ended the night with one goal and three assists.
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Fourth-year goaltender Erica Fryer made 10 saves in the win.
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