W-HOCKEY ROUNDUP: Lancers hand Mustangs first regulation loss of the season
The Brock Badgers women's hockey team (1-10-3) dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ryerson Rams (8-8-0) Friday night at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
Friday, January 16
Ryerson 3 @ Brock 2
The Brock Badgers women's hockey team (1-10-3) dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ryerson Rams (8-8-0) Friday night at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
Jessica Fickel opened the scoring for the Badgers, on the powerplay, 5:27 into the first period. It was Fickel's sixth goal of the season and fourteenth point in 15 games.
The Rams would take a 2-1 into the third period before Laura Neu picked up her second point of the game to things. Neu also has six goals on the season, and 12 points.
Blair Malthaner sealed the deal for the visitors at the 17:30 mark of the final stanza as Ryerson outshot Brock 31-24 overall.
Saturday, January 17
Queen's 3 @ York 2
The York University Lions women's hockey team fell to the No. 4 nationally ranked Queen's Gaels 3-2 on Saturday (Jan. 17) in a home game at Canlan Ice Sports.
Kristen Barbara (Mount Hope, Ont.) played an excellent game for the Lions as she criss-crossed the puck between the Gaels and held a strong defence. Barbara highlighted the game by scoring a goal 17 metres from the goal line in the second.
In the first, the Lions opened up the scoring early when Steffei Samuel (Markham, Ont.) scooped the puck around the post and into the net at 2:18. The Lions led the attack until 6:24, when Amber Sealey of the Gaels assisted Danielle Girard with a power play goal, tying the score 1-1.
The Gaels continued to force their way through the Lions, getting a break at 10:11 when Shawna Griffin smacked the puck behind the York goalie Megan Lee (Orillia, Ont.). At the end of the first, the Gaels led the game with a score of 2-1.
Less than three minutes into the second period, a Lions' defender's stick got caught in Lee's glove, causing her to lose track of the puck and allowing Mary Coughlin to add another goal for the Gaels, giving them a 3-1 lead.
At 9:36, Barbara pounded the puck into the back of the net to cut the deficit to a single goal. The score held at 3-2 heading into the final frame.
The Lions had no luck in the third period as it ended scoreless with a final score of 3-2.
Lee saved a total of 27 shots this game, while Gaels goalie Caitlyn Lahonen had 23.
The Lions are in seventh place in the OUA standings with a record of 8-7-2, while the Gaels dominate in second place at 12-2-3.
As part of the afternoon, the Lions hosted their annual Roar for a Cure game in support of cancer research and raised more than $700 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Ryerson 1 @ Guelph 0 (SO)
Saturday afternoon at the Gryphon Centre, the Gryphons women's hockey team lost 1-0 in a shootout to the Ryerson Rams. With the loss, the Gryphons win streak ends at four as they now sit at 11-2-3 on the season. Ryerson improves to 9-8-0 with the win. This marked the second straight game that the Gryphons went to a shootout (Thursday night, Guelph defeated Toronto after seven rounds of a shootout).
The first period got underway at the Gryphon Centre with the Gryphons dominating the play in the offensive zone. Guelph would continuously win battles on the boards and pin the Rams in their end, but scoring chances would be very difficult to come by. With 7:30 left in the period Kelly Gribbons (Port Elgin, ON) would create a turnover behind the Rams net and get two great chances, as she was alone in front of the net. Rams backup goalie Ally Sarna (Whitby, ON) would come up with two huge saves to keep the game scoreless. With 54 seconds left the Rams would get their first real chance of the period as Guelph backup goalie Valerie Lamenta (Montreal, QC) would bobble the puck off a rebound. She was able to recover and catch the puck in her glove just as it reached the goal line to end the period scoreless.
The Gryphons would start the second period on the penalty kill, but they would get back to their game plan dominating the Rams in the offensive zone. A shorthanded chance saw the puck go past Sarna, but not the crossbar as the puck would hit the iron and go up into the netting. Half way through the period Lamenta would come up big for the Gryphons on a 2-on-1, which would end up as a breakaway chance the other way for Sophie Contant (Cornwall, ON) but she would send her shot high as the net was forced of its moorings. Despite some great energy and effort by the Gryphons for the remainder of the period, Ryerson goalie Ally Sarna was able to hold off the onslaught to keep things scoreless after 40 minutes.
The third period would be much of the same as the first two, as the Gryphons would dominate the play but were unable to solve Sarna and the Rams. With just a minute remaining in regulation, Ryerson would get their first real chance of the period but Lamenta would stand tall for the Gryphons, turning away a quick shot from the slot.
The best scoring chance in overtime came to Gryphons captain Kaitlyn Mora (Guelph, ON) as she came to the front of the net and tried to slide the puck underneath Sarna, only to see the rookie goalie get her pad down in time to keep it out. With seconds remaining, Guelph's rookie goalie would bobble a dump in and get stuck behind her net as the puck would go out in front with a yawning cage. A Ryerson Ram would be first to the puck but, unbelievably, Lamenta was able to slide across the crease to make an incredible save-of-the-year type of stop. The overtime horn would sound with fans in disbelief, as the game would go to a shootout.
The Rams first shooter, Emma Rutherford, would score the only goal of the shootout to help Ryerson steal the two points and pull off the upset. Kaitlin Lowy, Averi Noorenand Jessica Pinkerton were all unable to beat Sarna in the shootout.
Western 0 @ Windsor 4
The Lancer women's hockey team shocked the No. 3 Western Mustangs on Saturday afternoon at South Windsor Arena, as the Blue & Gold shut-out the visiting Mustangs 4-0.
With the win, the Lancers move to 11-2-4 on the year while the Mustangs suffered their first regulation loss of the season and fall to 14-1-2.
Off of the opening face-off, fifth year Candice Chevalier won the draw back to the defencemen Rachel Chantler who sent Jenny MacKnight into Western's end, where she put home a rebound just 14 seconds into the first period.
The Lancers dominated most of the play in the first period. Chevalier's line went to work again as Shailyn Waites put one past Western's Kelly Campbell with assists from MacKnight and Chevalier to put Windsor up 2-0.
In the second period, the Mustangs had numerous chances, including many on a 5-on-3 power play. However, Lancer goaltender Marissa Kozovski stood tall and turned away all 13 shots in the period to keep the Lancers up 2-0 heading into the third.
Windsor played a great defensive third period with Kozovski, Natalie Barette and captain Kayla Dodson leading the force.
With three and a half minutes remaining, the Mustangs pulled their goalie to add the extra attacker. With the pressure on, the Lancers cleared the puck and Noseworthy put in an empty net goal from the corner to bring the lead to three. Chevalier added another empty netter with 12 seconds remaining to seal the deal and give Windsor the win.
Kozovski was unbelievable in net turning aside all 27 Mustang shots and earning her first shut-out win of the season.
Laurier 4 @ Nipissing 3
In a game that was truly back and forth, it was the Laurier Golden Hawks who ended up with the final say as they edged the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team.
A four goal third period – two goals apiece – was the difference, as the Hawks entered the period up 2-1 and erased a 3-2 deficit with two quick goals before the midway mark of the final frame.
The final would end up being 4-3 for the Hawks.
For the Lakers, it was a chance to throw themselves right into the middle of the pack in the OUA, unfortunately, they'll now look to rebound tomorrow against Waterloo, who will desperately want and need the two points, as they continue to chase down a number of teams for the final few playoff spots.
Lakers defenceman Molly Sipprell got things going with the lone goal in the first period, scoring on the power play.
Just nine seconds into the second period, Laurier tied it up and then with just over five minutes left in the middle frame, the Hawks grabbed a 2-1 lead.
That lead didn't last very long, as Bronwyn Bolduc scored just over a minute into the third to tie the game up.
She then scored her second of the night five minutes later to give the Lakers a 3-2 lead.
Within 15 seconds, the Hawks had tied it and taken the lead – all before the 10 minute mark of the third period.
Despite a late push, the Lakers would come up short and settle for a 4-3 loss.
Bolduc finished with a pair of goals, Kaley Tienhaara had assists on both of those goals and Jackie Rochefort was good in net, making 23 saves, but suffering the loss.
Waterloo 2 @ Laurentian 1 (SO)
Sometimes in sports a controversy is a good thing and for the Waterloo women's hockey team that proves to be the case as the battle for the number one goalie position continues.
Rebecca Bouwhuis (Orillia) took over between the pipes this weekend and the veteran netminder did not disappoint stopping 52 of 55 shots faced in back-to-back wins over Laurentian and Nipissing on the road.
Bouwhuis has seen her playtime reduced, not due to performance but the play of her counterpart Stephanie Sluys (Clinton) who has five shutouts this season including a stretch of three in five games back in November. That hasn't stopped Bouwhuis from remaining focused and when she got the nod this weekend in a pair of must-win games, the former CIS all-rookie team member stood tall and picked up four points for her team.
In Saturday's contest with the Laurentian Voyageurs, it was the captain Kaitlyn McDonell (Kincardine) who provided the late game heroics, netting her fifth goal of the season with just 33 seconds remaining to even the score at 1-apiece sending the game to overtime.
The extra frame would solve nothing and the game headed to a shootout, Waterloo's fourth of the season. McDonnell would again score as the third shooter to extend the shootout setting up Siobhan Hewitt-Kenda (North Vancouver) as the hero scoring in the eighth round to secure the 2-1 win for the black and gold. Bouwhuis was stellar in the win stopping 28 of 29 shots and seven of eight shootout attempts.
Sunday, January 19
Laurier 5 @ Laurentian 2
The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's hockey team earned their third straight victory on Sunday afternoon as they cruised to a 5-2 victory over the Laurentian Voyageurs.
After a scoreless opening period between the two teams, Laurier scored four goals in the second period to blow the game wide open. The purple and gold would add another early in the third to stake themselves to a 5-0 advantage.
Despite a pair of third period tallies from the Voyageurs, it would not be enough to comeback from the deficit as the Hawks swept the two-game season series from Laurentian.
Leading the way for the Golden Hawks was co-captain Laura Brooker of Fergus, Ont. The fifth year forward scored her 10th and 11th goals of the season, moving her into second place in the conference for both goals and points (20). Her first goal of the game, which came on a powerplay midway through the second period, turned out to be the game winner.
Tammy Freiburger of Wingham, Ont., Dollee Meigs of Owen Sound, Ont., and Jessica Prevette of Mississauga, Ont., were the other goal scorers for the Hawks.
In goal, rookie Nicholle Kovach of Schomberg, Ont., was strong between the pipes as she earned her third win of the season by turning aside 29 shots. Emily Toffoli of Sudbury, Ont., took the loss for Nipissing as she stopped 18 of the 23 shots she faced.
Special teams were crucial to Laurier earning the win as the Hawks converted on two of the seven opportunities they had in the contest. As well, the purple and gold prevented the Voyageurs from scoring on all eight of their powerplay chances.
With the win, the Hawks improve to 10-4-3 on the year while Laurentian falls to 2-10-5.
Waterloo 5 @ Nipissing 2
The Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team had a great opportunity in front of them to jump into the middle of the OUA's playoff race and even make a push for home ice.
They just needed to pick up four points this weekend, unfortunately, a tight one goal loss Saturday to Laurier and some bad luck Sunday left them with no points and now on the outside looking in when it comes to the post-season.
Looking to bounce back after a hard fought 4-3 loss Saturday, the Lakers came out flying and dominated the first five minutes of Sunday's game against the visiting Waterloo Warriors.
The Warriors, however, did a good job of weathering the storm and capitalized on their chances as they skated away with a 5-2 win.
After a barrage at the beginning of the game by Nipissing, things settled down and it was the Warriors who struck first just before the midway point of the period.
They would extend the lead about 10 minutes later, just before the end of the frame to take a 2-0 lead into the second.
They extended their lead with a pair of second period goals – one at the 10:09 mark and one with just over three minutes left in the frame.
Up 4-0 in the third, Lakers head coach Darren Turcotte pulled goalie Sabrina Picard to get six attackers who early in the period.
The Warriors capitalized on the empty-net, scoring the fifth un-answered goal of the game to put them up big.
Kaley Tienhaara would break the Warriors' shutout bid at the 11-minute mark and Bronwyn Bolduc would score just two minutes later to make it 5-2, but that's as close as Nipissing would get.
They outshot Waterloo 9-1 in the final period and 27-15 on the game, but couldn't manage enough offence.
Toronto 5 @ Brock 2
The Brock University women's hockey team fell to the hands of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues by the score of 5-2 Sunday afternoon at the Seymour-Hannah Centre.
Prior to the game, the Badgers honoured their lone fifth year player Jessica Fickel (Fort, Erie, Ont.) who was playing her last regular season home game before going on to to play for Team Canada at the 2015 World Universiade.
"It was a special day for the Brock women's hockey program and the Fickel Family," said Interim Head Coach Corey Williamson. "Jessica has given so much to this program and has been a true leader both on and off the ice. She has had a tremendous career at Brock University and leaves a legacy for others to aspire towards. It is a great honour for us to retire the No. 9 which will hang in the rafters of the Seymour-Hannah Centre."
In her last game, Fickel and rookie Christina Ieradi would setup Melissa Hurell with 6:45 left in the opening period to put the Badgers up 1-0.
Less than a minute into the second period, Toronto's Amanda Ricker beat Brock starter Stephanie Loucks tying the game 1-1. The Varsity Blues would get another at the midway mark of the second as Katherine Gale and April Looije setup Jacqueline Scheffel for her first goal of the campaign Brock tied the game 2-2 at 11:36 of the second period as Hurell found Ieradi for her eighth goal of the season.
The Varsity Blues added two more quick ones, just over a minute apart, with two goals from Sonja Weidenfelder and Gale to take a 4-2 lead at the end of 40 minutes. Toronto's Taylor Day scored the Blues lone goal in the third period, on route to the 5-2 road victory.
In goal. Loucks recorded 17 saves in the loss. Toronto shared the duties between the pipes with Nicole Kesteris and Katey Teekasingh combining for 16 saves in the win.
York 3 @ UOIT 1
It wasn't for a lack of scoring chances that the UOIT women's hockey team registered only one goal on Sunday afternoon against the York Lions.
The Ridgebacks offence flooded the net with 36 shots, but York goaltender Megan Lee managed to save all of them but one as the Lions escaped the Campus Ice Centre with a 3-1 victory.
Combined with her 2-0 shutout over UOIT in October, Lee went 103:33 minutes without allowing a Ridgeback goal, before Zoe Battie (Nanaimo, B.C.) scored off a scramble in the crease. Down 2-1, UOIT hit posts, had breakaways and two on ones, but they could not find a way to beat Lee for a second time as the Lions skated off with the two-goal victory.
The result extends UOIT's losing streak to nine games, as they fall to 5-11-1 and eight points out of a playoff position with seven games remaining in their regular season. During their nine game slide, the Ridgebacks have only managed to score seven goals.
UOIT goaltender Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) allowed two goals on 33 shots, with York's Lisa Stathopulos scoring an empty netter with less than a minute to go in the game. Stathopulos had the game winner late in the second period while Sarai Whitty opened up scoring seven minutes into the game.
York went 1-for-6 on the power play and UOIT went 0-for-5.