AROUND OUA: Lakers make it five straight with win over defending McCaw Cup champs
While it wasn't high scoring, the first place showdown between the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team and the Guelph Gryphons was exactly what you would have hoped for.
SCOREBOARD
Guelph 0 @ Nipissing 1
Laurier 1 @ Toronto 6
Lakers make it five straight with win over defending McCaw Cup champs
While it wasn't high scoring, the first place showdown between the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team and the Guelph Gryphons was exactly what you would have hoped for.
In a playoff-type atmosphere, the two top teams in the OUA went shot for shot, but in the end, a late goal by Jade Gauthier proved to be the difference as Nipissing made it five wins in a row and jumped into first place in the league.
After two tight checking periods with a total of 24 shots solved nothing, it came down to the third period and even then, it took until the last few minutes for the game to be decided.
The lone goal, off Callander native Gauthier's stick, was a rocket upstairs, over the blocking arm of the Gryphons goalie with just 6:40 left in regulation.
Stacey Henshaw and Jetta Derenoski drew assists on the goal that came off the rush. One of many rushes that the Lakers had success with, even though they were unable to score for over two periods.
Nipissing dominated in shots and chances.
Guelph's only pressure came late in the game with the extra attacker, but the Lakers did a great job of collapsing in front of goalie Jackie Rochefort, who was perfect in net, and secured the win.
Rochefort finished with 16 saves, only a few of which were difficult, but she continued her outstanding play this season.
The Lakers have now won five in a row and will look to make it six and a perfect weekend when they host the Brock Badgers Saturday at 4:30pm.
Following that game, only one game remains on the schedule for Nipissing – a date with Laurentian on Nov. 26 at home.
Source: Nipissing Lakers
Blues soar over Hawks on home ice
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's hockey team defeated the Laurier Golden Hawks 6-1 on Friday, November 18 at Varsity Arena.
The win puts the Blues at 5-0-4-0 (W-OTW-L-OTL) in their season and moves them into a tie for fourth place with the Laurentian Voyageurs.
Both U of T and Laurier were even matched for most of the first period but at 14:12 on a power play, Blues veteran Taylor Day tipped in a Julia Szulewska point shot. Just over a minute later, on another power play, Szulewska sent a point shot through traffic to put the Blues up 2-0 at the end of the first period.
The Blues continued to play strong in the second period, effectively killing off four penalties, proving their status as having the number eight penalty kill percentage in the nation.
Late in the second, third-year Blues forward Lauren Straatman scored a shorthanded goal off a nice pass from Day. Day then scored a breakaway goal during yet another power play to put Toronto up 4-0 after 40 minutes of action.
Just over three minutes into the third period, Toronto's second year defenceman Cristine Chao scored a goal off a beautiful shot from the point on a power play. Blues rookie Mathilde De Serres scored her first OUA career goal, tipping in a Kennedy Kneller point shot.
The Hawks spoiled the shut out, as Heather Platt tallied with less than a minute remaining.
Blues goalie Valencia Yordanov posted 20 saves in the win.
The Blue and White will take on the York Lions next Saturday, November 26 at Canlan Ice Sports in York. The puck drops at 2 p.m.
Source: Toronto Varsity Blues
