Box Score In Game 2 of the OUA quarter-finals the No. 8 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeated the Queen's Gaels 2-1 in the second overtime on Friday (Feb. 23) night in Kingston, Ont. The Blues have forced a decisive Game 3 in the series which will be played Sunday (Feb. 25) at 4 p.m. at Varsity Arena.
 
It was a must-win game for the Blues and the message went straight to their legs from the moment the puck was dropped, firing 12 shots on goal in the first period. As both teams battled for the advantage, fifth-year goalie Erica Fryer made big saves to keep the game scoreless and a gutsy effort from the penalty kill was able neutralize the two Gaels power plays in the opening frame.
 
With under five minutes to go in the first period the Blues got the icebreaker. As the Gaels tried to clear the zone, third-year defender Olivia Hilton made a heads up play to keep the puck in the offensive zone and fired the puck over to Emma Potter. Potter's shot was deflected to fifth-year captain Taylor Trussler and while Queen's made the initial save, third-year forward Nikki McDonald was on the doorstep to bury the rebound and give the Blues the one goal lead that they carried into the first intermission.
 
In the second period the Gaels got an early equalizer. They sustained pressure in the offensive zone and Mikayla Cranney was able to find the back of the net for her first goal of the series, making it a brand-new hockey game. Despite the rest of the middle period being scoreless, the early goal didn't phase the Blue and White as they continued to play their brand of hockey throughout the period and went into the third deadlocked at one goal apiece.
 
In the third period both teams traded chances as the Blues were fighting to keep their season alive. Fryer and Queen's goalie Emma Tennant made great saves to keep the game tied, forcing a sudden death overtime. 
 
In the second overtime period third-year forward Abby Howland cemented herself as the hero with the overtime winner. As the Blues broke into the offensive zone, third-year forward Aili McKeown's shot was deflected off of Tennant's pad right to Howland who found the back off the net and sent the series back to Varsity Arena.
 
The Blues and Gaels will meet again on Sunday (Feb. 25) afternoon at Varsity Arena. The winner of the game will advance to the OUA semi-finals. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets and the game will be streamed live on OUA.tv.