In Game 2 of the OUA semifinals, the No. 8 nationally-ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues defeated the Guelph Gryphons 3-1 to force a Game 3 on Friday (Mar. 1) night at Varsity Arena.
 
Both teams played with urgency with the stakes high in Game 2. The first period was a low scoring affair with fifth-year goalie Erica Fryer and Guelph goalie Martina Fedel bringing their A games, both making eight saves in the scoreless first period.
 
In the second, the Blues offence caught lightning in a bottle and sent Varsity Arena into a frenzy. 31 seconds into the second period, fifth-year captain Taylor Trussler got the Blues on the board after picking up the puck behind the net and banking it off of the side of Fedel's body and into the back of the net, to make it 1-0 Toronto. 
 
Midway through the period while the Blues were shorthanded, they were able to get an offensive zone chance as Trussler forced a Gryphons turnover in the neutral zone. Trussler sent the puck over to third-year forward Nikki McDonald who fired a backhand top shelf. The Blues penalty kill was strong throughout the second period, making key blocks to keep Guelph's offence at bay and hold a 2-0 lead going into the third period.
 
In the third period Guelph was able to cut the Blues lead in half as forward Hannah Tait scored her fourth goal of the playoffs to make it a 2-1 game. As the clock winded down, the Blues didn't let the goal faze them as they continued to play a strong defensive game. With under 30 seconds left, third-year defender Francesca Monte blocked a shot from the point and Trussler was able to pick it up in the defensive zone. 
 
With the Guelph net empty, Trussler fired the puck down the ice and into the open cage to secure the win for the Blues and force a decisive Game 3 scheduled for this Sunday (Mar. 3) at 2:30 p.m. in Guelph, Ont. Game 3 of the semifinals can be streamed live on OUA.tv.