The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees 2-1 on Friday (Oct. 30) night in Ottawa.
A third period first career OUA goal by third-year defender Jaia Freer and 25 saves from third-year goalie Lyla McKinnon were the difference maker as the Blue and White earned the victory over their OUA East rivals.
Ottawa opened the score midway through the first period with Madison Berven finding the back of the net. The Blues looked to respond and generated positive momentum but went into the first intermission trailing 1-0. 36 seconds into the second period the Blues got the equalizer they were looking for was fifth-year forward Emma Elders scored a power play goal with fellow fifth-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight drawing the assist on Elders' fourth goal of the season. The two sides continued to battle each other for a go-ahead goal but strong goaltender from McKinnon and Ottawa's Clara Genier kept the game deadlocked after 40 minutes of play.
U of T's strong played continued in the third period and midway through the final frame, the power play struck again as Freer beat Genier on a goal set up by fourth-year forwards Ashley Delahey and Abby Whitworth. From there McKinnon and Toronto's defence stood tall, holding off a comeback attempt from the Gee-Gees as the Blues picked up their third win of the season.
The Blues stick around in the nation's capital as the road trip continues against the Carleton Ravens on Saturday (Oct. 31) evening. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.
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