The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the No. 3 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels 4-3 in the shootout on Friday (Jan. 9) night at Varsity Arena.

Fourth-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight scored the shootout winner and second-year goalie Lyla McKinnon turned aside 33 shots as the Blues extended their win streak to four-straight games.

Less than five minutes into the game the Blues opened the scoring as first-year forward Dawson Benson raced to a loose puck low in the offensive zone. Her shot ricocheted off the pad of Gaels goaltender Emma Tennant and into the back of the net for her first OUA goal. Midway through the period, the Gaels responded as Sydney Rasmussen's shot from the point made its way through traffic. Toronto didn't let the equalizer change their style of play, retaking the lead when third-year forward Ashley Delahey tipped in a shot from second-year defender Sadie Watkins-Southward to beat Tennant. U of T held the lead going into the first intermission.

In the second period, Queen's dictated the shots on goal, firing 14 on McKinnon. The Toronto native made highlight reel saves to keep the Blue and White ahead. At the other end of the ice, the Blues fired 10 shots towards Tennant. The Gaels managed to send the game tied going into the third period as Carys Collie found the back of the net.

Both teams traded chances in the third period but Queen's capitalized on the power play with Collie's second goal of the game. A resilient Blues team answered back as second-year defender Jaia Freer sprung third-year forward Abby Whitworth for a breakaway. The Port Moody, B.C., native slide the puck through Tennant's five-hole with her OUA leading 13^th goal of the season. After 60 minutes of play, the two sides needed overtime to decide the game.

In overtime, McKinnon continued to make highlight reel saves and the Blues got quality chances in the offensive zone. Seven minutes of overtime wasn't enough for a game-winner as top-two teams in the OUA East were headed to a shootout.

In the shootout, Whitworth set the tone with the opening goal and McKinnon was perfect, turning aside both Gaels shooters. With a chance to ice the game, McKnight beat Tennant to send the Varsity Arena crowd home happy.

The Blues will hit the ice at Varsity Arena on Saturday (Jan. 10) night when they take on the Brock Badgers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., and tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets. The game will also be live streamed on oua.tv.