The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team bested the McGill Martlets 3-1 in an exhibition game at Varsity Arena on Thursday (Sept. 19) night.
The Blues opened the scoring early when fourth-year defender Emma Potter got possession of the puck. As Potter carried the puck at the blueline the Blues offence created traffic in front of McGill's net. Potter fired the puck on net through the glove of Martlets goaltender Sophie Lajeunesse for the Angus Ont., native's second goal of the preseason to give the Blues a 1-0 lead. Toronto carried the one goal lead into intermission but continued to get quality chances on net, outshooting McGill 11-6 in the opening frame.
In the second period McGill got themselves on the scoreboard as forward Catherine Foulem found the back of the net to tie the game at one goal a piece. As the period progressed, the Blues played a strong defensive game as they pushed for another lead. The penalty kill was strong, going a perfect two for two in the middle frame and first-year goalie Lyla McKinnon made some of the best of her 18 saves in the game.
In the third period Toronto dominated puck possession and midway through the final 20 minutes of play they were rewarded for their efforts. Second-year forward Ashley Delahey sent the puck over to second-year forward Taylor Delahey and the latter fired the puck on net, beating Lajeunesse high to restore the lead for Toronto. The Blues added another as Taylor Delahey picked up her second goal of the game and Ashley Delahey notched her third assist of the game. The former danced around a McGill defender and backhanded the puck into the back of the net to give the Blues a 3-1 lead.
For the rest of the third period, the Blues were able to neutralize the Martlets offence to keep their two goal lead intact until the final buzzer went off and the Blues picked up a 3-1 win on home ice.
The Blues are back in action on Friday (Sept. 27) night on the road against the York Lions at Canlan Ice Sports in Toronto, Ont. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.
