Sluys, Warriors force decisive game three

KINGSTON, Ont. - Stephanie Sluys (Clinton/) has enjoyed one of the most memorable careers in the history of the Waterloo Warriors women's hockey program. And apparently, she's not ready to see it end just yet.

The fourth-year goaltender posted a 23-save shutout, and Samantha Burbridge (Brantford/) scored the eventual game-winner on a first-period shorthanded breakaway, as the Warriors avoided elimination with a massive 2-0 road playoff victory over the Queen's Gaels on Friday night in Kingston.

The victory evens the best-of-three OUA quarterfinal series at one win apiece, setting up a winner-take-all game three on Saturday night.

Emma Pye (Oshawa/) also scored for the Warriors to give the visitors some breathing room in the third period, matching the 2-0 final in favor of the Gaels in game 1 of the series on Wednesday. After posting a road shutout in the series opener, Queen's goaltender Stephanie Pascal was outduelled by Sluys; the Gaels keeper made 20 saves in defeat.

The nationally-ranked Gaels carried the play early on in the first, earning a pair of power plays midway through the opening period. But on the second minor, Burbridge broke in alone and beat Pascal through the five-hole for a shorthanded marker.

The Warriors weathered the Gaels' storm throughout the second, as Waterloo's defensive play began to wear down the hosts. With the game still 1-0 in the third, the Warriors really battened down the hatches – they allowed inly four shots in the final 20 minutes. Then, just past the 12-minute mark, Pye converted on a Warriors power play to give her team some insurance.

The veteran presence of Sluys and the defensive play throughout the lineup solidified the victory for Waterloo, keeping their season alive.

The Warriors will now turn their attention to the decisive game three, where the victors will advance to the OUA semifinals. While the seeding suggests a Waterloo victory would be a monumental upset – Queen's is seeded first in the OUA, and the Warriors are eighth – the visitors will carry confidence into the do-or-die matchup: After Friday night's victory, Waterloo has three wins in four games against Queen's this season.

Puck drop is slated for 7:30 pm at the Kingston Memorial Centre, and will be streamed live on oua.tv.

Source: Waterloo Warriors