The No. 4 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team picked up their seventh straight win, defeating the York Lions 4-2 on Saturday (Feb. 8) night at Varsity Arena. 

In the two teams' second matchup in as many days, York broke the ice six seconds before the halfway point of the first period as Lions defender Jillian Milligan scored a shorthanded goal. On the same Blues power play, the Blue and White were able to even up the game as second-year forward Ashley Delahey received a pass from fourth-year forward Aili McKeown in front of the Lions goal and went from her forehand to her backhand and slid the puck past Lions goaltender Emma Wedgewood for the Markham, Ont., native's eighth goal of the season, leaving the two teams tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. 

In the second period the Blues were able to control possession in the offensive zone, getting 15 shots on goal in the frame. The Blues power play struck again as fourth-year forward Sophie Grawbarger set up fourth-year forward Emma Irwin who found the back of the net with her seventh goal of the season to give the Blues a 2-1 lead. 

The Blues kept their foot on the gas in the third period as they extended their lead to 4-1. Fifth-year forward Scout Watkins-Southward picked up her third goal of the season after being set up by fellow third-year forward Emma Elders.U of T picked up their second power play goal of the game as Sophie Grawbarger beat Wedgewood five hole on a breakaway for her fifth goal of the season. 

York's Alexa Giantsopolous was able to cut the Blues lead to 4-2 but the Blues were able to play a strong defensive game as the third period finished, cutting off York passes, blocking shots, and key stops by Lyla McKinnon who finished the game with 17 saves as the Blues picked up their seventh straight win. 

The Blues will be back in action on Thursday (Feb. 13) night when they host the No. 10 nationally ranked Laurier Golden Hawks on seniors night at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets. The game will also be live streamed on oua.tv.