With the help of a Taylor Trussler hat-trick, the Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeat the Guelph Gryphons 4-0 in Game 3 of the OUA semifinal over the No. 8 Guelph Gryphons on Sunday (Mar. 5) afternoon.
With the win, the Blues grab the final spot of the McCaw Cup final. This will be their fourth finals appearance in three seasons. U of T will face off against the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday, March 11 at 7 p.m.
They will also book their ticket to Montreal, as the top two teams from the OUA advance to the 2023 U SPORTS national championship, March 16-19.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Blues were buzzing in the first period dominating play for most of the period. Five minutes into the period Trussler was able to get the rebound of Sophie Grawbarger's shot to give the Blues the lead. Toronto outshout Guelph 14-3 after 20 minutes of play.
Toronto continued their strong play into the second period, while the Gryphons continued to push back but were unable to get past Blues goalie Erica Fryer. Just under halfway through the period forward Lauren MacDonnell was able to grab hold of a tipped puck from Katy McKenna and doubled the Blues lead.
A minute later the Blues would strike again, in similar fashion to her first goal, Trussler grabbed a loose puck after a shot from Grawbarger. Trussler completed her hat-trick early in the third period on the power play. This is Trussler's second playoff hat trick during her time with the Blues, with her first coming against the TMU Bold in 2020.
Fryer finished the game with 12 saves for the win.
