In Game 2 of the OUA quarter-final, the No. 3 seed in the OUA East University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team fell 2-1 to the No. 2 seed Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday (Feb. 28) afternoon at the Minto Sports Complex in the nation's capital.

With the best-of-three tied a one-win apiece, Toronto and Ottawa will play in a winner takes all Game 3 in Ottawa tomorrow (Mar. 1) afternoon.

Trying to find their rhythm in the first period, Toronto was on their heels as a result of a high-flying Gee-Gees attack. Despite spending chunks of time in the defensive zone, second-year goaltender Lyla McKinnon was strong between the pipes, holding the fort to keep the game scoreless. Late in the period, the Gee-Gees broke the ice as Naomi Morin's shot on the power play found the back of the net. Despite trailing, the Blues were able to find their game and generate some momentum, showing fight going into intermission despite the one-goal deficit.

In the second period, U of T found their equalizer. Midway through the frame, second-year defender Jaia Freer kept the puck in the offensive zone and fired a shot through traffic in front of Gee-Gees goaltender Clara Genier. As chaos ensued in front, third-year forward Ashley Delahey's backhand pass found the blade of first-year forward Petra Klimes, who cashed in with her first career playoff marker in the OUA. As the period progressed, Toronto was able to keep generating chances but a goalie dual between McKinnon and Genier kept the 1-1 knot untied. Ottawa's best chance came midway through the period with a scoring chance in front of the net, McKinnon got her stick in the way of the puck and got right into position to keep it out of harms way.

In the third period, Ottawa broke the deadlock 96 seconds into the frame as Morin notched her second goal of the afternoon to regain the lead. Toronto pressed for an equalizer firing 12 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes of play and spent lots of time in the offensive zone. With McKinnon to the bench for the extra attacker, U of T gave the Gee-Gees everything they had but were unable to find an equalizer before time expired.

McKinnon finished the game with 19 saves.

The quarter-final series will be decided on Sunday (Mar. 1) afternoon in a winner takes all Game 3 with the No. 1 seed Laurier Golden Hawks awaiting the winner. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.