The No. 10 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the No. 8 ranked Nipissing Lakers 3-2 in a shootout in North Bay, Ont., on Saturday (Jan. 25) afternoon as Ashley Delahey's shootout winner was the difference maker in securing the win for Toronto. 

The Blues were playing great hockey at both ends of the ice from the moment the puck was dropped. In the defensive zone, first-year goaltender Lyla McKinnon was strong, turning away the four shots that the Lakers fired her way. Meanwhile, U of T's defence did an excellent job at cutting off passes and blocking shots from Nipissing's offence. At the other end of the ice the Blues were rewarded for their efforts with the game's first goal as third-year forward Emma Elders received a pass in the slot from second-year forward Abby Whitworth, and Elders fired a shot past Lakers goaltender Chantelle Sandquist. The Blues took this lead into the first intermission while holding a 9-4 shot advantage over the Lakers. 

Early in the second period Nipissing found themselves on the scoresheet as Ashley Taciuk tied the game. Shortly after the goal, McKinnon came up with two highlight reel saves to keep the game tied. 

Madison Laberge managed to give the Lakers their first lead of the game in the second period, scoring her seventh goal of the season. Despite trailing, the Blues fought back to tie the game at 2-2 with a power play goal. As the Blues cycled the puck in the offensive zone, third-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight fired a shot through traffic and on net, which was put home by fourth-year forward Sophie Grawbarger on the doorstep for her fourth goal of the season. 

As the third period progressed, McKinnon and Sandquist traded saves as the two teams looked for the edge. Despite strong scoring chances at both ends of the ice neither team was able to find the back of the net in the third period, forcing overtime. 

The Blues and Lakers traded chances throughout overtime but 67 minutes of hockey wasn't enough, sending the game to a shootout.  

In the first three rounds of the shootout Ashley Delahey and Elders scored for U of T, while Abby Lunny and Madison Laberge scored for the Lakers. After three rounds of McKinnon and Sandquist trading saves, Delahey scored in the seventh round to put the game on the stick of Emma Thomas. McKinnon turned away the Lakers forward's attempt, securing a 3-2 win on the road for the Blues. 

The Blues will return to Varsity Arena for their next game as they host the TMU Bold on Thursday (Jan. 30) night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets. The game will also be streamed live on oua.tv.