The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team fell 5-2 to the Windsor Lancers on Saturday (Nov. 7) evening on the road in Windsor.
The loss marks the first in regulation for the Blues this season, now holding a 4-1-0-2 (W-L-OTL-SOL) record.
In the Saturday night showdown, the opening period saw a tightly contested start. Windsor broke through midway through the frame, as Bridget Cameron converted a setup from Bryn Rutledge and Keana McKibbin to give the host a 1-0 lead.
Toronto continued to look for its offensive opportunities in the second, but Windsor added to its advantage at the 13-minute mark. Makayla Mailhot beat Blues goaltender Lyla McKinnon, sending the teams into the second intermission with Toronto trailing 2-0.
The Blues came out with a response in the third, putting pressure on the Lancers and getting themselves on the scoresheet. Fifth-year forward Kaitlyn McKnight sparked the Toronto offence, finishing a setup from third-year forward Ryleigh Horlock and second-year forward Eden Gowing to cut Windsor's lead to just one. However, Windsor responded just 31 seconds later, as Phoebe Gao restored the Lancers two-goal cushion. Another Windsor goal from Freya Flook, scoring shorthanded on a two-on-one made it a 4-1 score line. Toronto continued to push back, and fourth-year forward Abby Whitworth brought the Blues within two midway through the final frame. Whitworth finished a feed from fellow fourth-year forward Ashley Delahey, recording her fourth goal of the season. As Windsor looked to put the game away, third-year defence Taylor Thompson came up with a pair of key defensive plays, blocking two empty-net attempts to keep Toronto within striking distance. But in the final seconds, the Lancers eventually found the empty net to secure the home ice win.
McKinnon turned aside 21 of 25 shots between the pipes for Toronto.
The Blues will return home to Varsity Arena for their next matchup against the York Lions on Friday, Nov. 13. The contest will serve as the Blues annual "School Day" game with puck drop scheduled for 11Â a.m. Tickets for Varsity Blues home games are available online at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while all OUA hockey games are also streamed live and on demand via oua.tv.
