The No. 1 seeded University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey downed the No. 4 University of New Brunswick Reds 4-1 in the consolation semifinal at the 2023 U SPORTS championship on Saturday morning in Montreal.
With the win, the Blues will take on the winner of the No. 6 Nipissing Lakers and No. 7 St. Francis Xavier X-Women in the consolation final on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. EST.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Abby Howland
WHAT HAPPENED:
The Blues struck early in the first period by way of second-year standout Sophie Grawburger. Positioned perfectly in front of the net, the Garden River, Ont. native deflected fellow second-year Lauren Omoto's shot to give the Blues a 1-0.
The lead would not last long as Reds centre Ashley Stratton buried her chance in front of the Blues net to tie things up 1-1.
After a near-scoreless second period, second-year Blues Abby Howland and Aili McKeown combined to break the deadlock. In the final minutes of the second period, Howland's backhand pass found Aili McKeown at the edge of the crease to pull the Blues into a 2-1 lead.
Building off their second-period momentum, the Blues extended their lead early in the third by way of second-year defenceman Emma Potter. The Agnus, Ont. native was at the top of the crease while Blues captain Taylor Trussler's pass from behind the net came her way. Potter didn't think twice, burying her shot to extend the Blues lead to two.
With the Reds goalie pulled in the final two minutes, second-year forward Nikki McDonald seized the opportunity. Under pressure from the Reds, McDonald's cleared the puck down ice. The puck would trickle into the Reds net to secure the 4-1 win for the Blues.
Fourth-year goaltender Erica Fryer had 24 saves in the win.
For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit
www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on
Twitter,
Instagram and
Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.
