The No. 8 nationally-ranked Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Queen's Gaels 5-1 off the back of a four-goal performance from second-year forward Emma Elders on Saturday (Jan. 13) night at Varsity Arena.
 
The Blues came to compete during the game and despite the Gaels getting on the board first, the Blues weren't phased by the Gaels' attack. Elders got the equalizer after dancing around the perimeter in the offensive zone before firing a shot top shelf to tie the game at one.
 
Elders got back on the scoresheet less than three minutes later when third-year forward Emma Irwin sprung the Coldstream, B.C. native a pass in the slot before finishing it off for her second goal of the game. The Blues ended up outshooting Queen's 19-4 in the opening frame.
 
In the second period the Blues kept their foot on the gas pedal getting a substantial amount of pressure in the offensive zone. Fifth-year defender Caroline Eagles fired a shot on net that was stopped by Gaels goaltender Emma Tennant but third-year forward Sophie Grawbarger displayed excellent hand-eye coordination, batting the puck out of the air and into the back of the net to make it 3-1 Toronto.
 
Both teams got more physical as the game went on but the Blues continued to stand tall. In the third period, Elders came flying down the right wing, beating Tennant blocker side for her first career hat trick in the OUA. Elders added a fourth goal on an empty net in the final minutes of the third period to secure the 5-1 win for the blue and white.
 
Fifth-year goaltender Erica Fryer was excellent between the pipes for the Blues making 19 saves in the victory.
 
The Blues hit the ice next on Friday (Jan. 19) night when they host the TMU Bold at Varsity Arena. Tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.