It took a sudden-death overtime period and a shootout, but the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team fell to the Waterloo Warriors 2-1 last Tuesday. The Blues entered Tuesday’s game coming off a 6-4 victory over the Guelph Gryphons the night before. But against Waterloo, it was anybody’s game right up until the last minute.
The first period was scoreless though not without some intense moments to keep both goalies on their toes. Waterloo forward Randi Wilson, assisted by teammates Emma McMillan and Kelly Maclean, opened scoring halfway through the second period. Midway into the third, the Blues made it even on a power play led by forward Annie DelGuidice and assisted by forward Emily Milito and defenceman Marlie McLaughlin.
A five-minute sudden-death round was called to settle the winner. Though both teams played fiercely, overtime was as scoreless as the first period. The final decider was a shootout in which Waterloo forward Wilson scored yet again, achieving a 2-1 victory for the Warriors.
It was a frustrating loss for the Blues after Monday’s victory. The Warriors were tailing the Blues in the OUA rankings, and Toronto beat Waterloo not once but thrice in the 2008-2009 season. Happily the Blues returned the favour on Saturday at Waterloo by defeating the Warriors 6-1. Despite Tuesday’s loss, the Blues have preserved their number-five OUA standing and are itching for a playoff spot.
“I think it comes down to just playing simple hockey,” commented DelGuidice, who was named player of the game for her efforts. “We’re still fighting for a good playoff position right now so I think if we just play our game and play simple Blues hockey we can come out stronger.”
At press time, the Blues are facing the undefeated Golden Hawks at Laurier. Their next home game is against the UOIT Ridgebacks on Jan. 16 at 4 p.m.
