AROUND OUA: Voyageurs begin 2016 with thrilling win over Varsity Blues
On Saturday afternoon, the Voyageurs women's hockey team beat the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 4-2 in their first regular season game of 2016.
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UOIT 3 @ Windsor 5
Voyageurs begin 2016 with thrilling win over Varsity Blues
On Saturday afternoon, the Voyageurs women's hockey team beat the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 4-2 in their first regular season game of 2016.
The Voyageurs were relentless to start the game as they completely controlled the opening five minutes and did not surrender a single shot against.
The scoring chances for the Vees came one after the other by way of Emma Leger's near miss on a partial breakaway and a McCauley Carr shot that beat the U of T goaltender but not the post.
The first period would end in a scoreless tie. Despite being out shot 8-5 by U of T in the first, the Voyageurs controlled the play in the offensive zone for the majority of the period but to no avail.
The Voyageurs began the second period the exact same way. Just two minutes in, the Voyageurs capitalized on a U of T turnover in their own zone as Ellery Veerman put the puck behind U of T goaltender Valencia Yordanov to go up 1-0.
Three minutes later the offence continued when Taylor Weber found Sam Morell alone in front to increase the lead to 2-0.
U of T, determined to respond, did just that 56 seconds later when Sonja Weidenfelder capitalized on a rebound from a Christine Chao shot.
The Voyageurs relinquished their control of the game after the U of T goal, and moments later surrendered the tying goal when Jacqueline Scheffel beat Laura Deller with a shot from the wing.
The furious back and forth action continued as Taylor Weber flew down the wing and scored on her own rebound to put the Voyageurs back on top, 3-2.
The score remained 3-2 as the period ended, thanks in large part to two huge saves by Laura Deller near the end of the period on what seemed to be sure goals.
The third period contained much of the same as Laurentian was pressing for another goal while also negating any opportunity for U of T to tie the game. With the goalie pulled, U of T put shot after shot on net, but could not beat Deller.
With 1:30 remaining, Jessica Staats jumped on a loose puck in the Voyageur zone and hit the empty net from 130 feet away to seal the deal.
The Voyageurs won their first game or 2016 with a 4-2 win over the U of T Varsity Blues. The Voyageurs are back in action again tomorrow, Sunday, January 10, at 1:50 when they host the Ryerson Rams.
Source: Laurentian Voyageurs
Laurier opens 2016 with win over Brock
WATERLOO, Ont. (January 9, 2016) – The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's hockey team opened the 2016 portion of their regular season schedule with success Saturday afternoon as they as they skated to a 2-1 victory over the Brock Badgers at the Waterloo Recreation Complex.
The purple and gold got off to a strong start thanks to a first period powerplay goal from defenceman Haley Baxter of Waterloo, Ont. This would not leave the Badgers trailing for long however, as less than five minutes later, third year Erin McColm of Peterborough, Ont., picked up a goal for the Badgers.
After a scoreless middle frame, the Hawks increased the intensity in the third, determined to overtake their opponent. Madison MacCulloch of Toronto, who assisted on Baxter's first period tally, took control of the offence and just three minutes in, managed to score her sixth goal of the season.
For MacCulloch, the rookie forward now has points in three straight games, recording three goals and three assists over that stretch to give her 10 points on the season.
Throughout the three periods, rookie netminder Jensen Murphy of Kingston, Ont., performed admirably for the Badgers under the intense pressures of the Laurier offence, succeeding in deflecting thirty shots. Laurier's own Lauren Webber of Burlington, Ont., also made the Hawks proud, contributing to their win over the Badgers by blocking 19 of the 20 shots she faced
The Hawks (7-0-4-1) move forward to take on the No. 1 Guelph Gryphons (8-3-2-1), who were triumphant over the York Lions 1-0 in overtime on Saturday. Sticks clash tomorrow on January 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Guelph Gryphon Centre Arena.
Source: Laurier Golden Hawks
Nooren scores OT winner as Gryphons edge York 1-0
GUELPH, ON – The long wait for the first goal of 2016 was worth it for the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team, as it gave them a 1-0 overtime victory against the York Lions in OUA women's hockey action on Saturday at the Gryphon Centre.
Right-winger Averi Nooren found herself alone in front of the York net as time ticked away late in the extra frame. She made no mistake tucking the puck behind Lions netminder Megan Lee with only 17.1 seconds left on the clock.
It was the first game for the Gryphons (11-2-1) after a six-week break that spanned exams and Christmas, and they were noticeably rusty, missing on a number of good scoring chances. One that stood out in particular was a two-on-none breakaway in the second period that York's Lee easily fended off.
The Lions (5-6-2) weren't any more prolific with their own offence, but they were aggressive right from the opening face-off. They clearly did not look like a team that trailed Guelph by 16 points in the standings entering the game.
"York probably put us under the most pressure of any team we've played this year," said Gryphons head coach Rachel Flanagan.
"I think having not played since before Christmas, it caught us a little bit off guard with our decision making, because the game speed was really quick. It's something that'll come back; we're not concerned. It's just too bad we gave up a point today."
OUA women's hockey games are now worth three points for a win in regulation, but only two points for a victory in overtime or a shootout. Flanagan was disappointed at having to settle for the lesser win.
"It's great that we got the win, but probably not our best effort today."
Lee was solid in defeat for York, but not quite as good as Guelph's Stephanie Nehring, who made a successful return from an injury that kept her out of the lineup for most of the first half of the season. The fifth-year goalie made 22 saves for the shutout, her second in only three starts during this campaign.
"York's really had her number in the past, so it's good to get a monkey off her back and prove to the team and herself that she's ready to be back, 100 per cent," Flanagan said.
"She practised a little bit toward the end of the first half, but we didn't think it was comfortable for her to get into a game. She had the six weeks off to rest it and we feel like she's ready to be back in the net."
Nooren continued to shine for the Gryphons. The fourth-year winger collected her team-leading 10th goal of the season. She also leads the Gryphons with 16 points this season, and extended her point streak to eight games. She has eight goals and 13 points during the streak.
Third-year forward Kelly Gribbons was blanked on the scoresheet and saw her own seven-game point streak come to an end.
Saturday's game was gritty but clean, with only one minor penalty called, on York defenceman Lauren Cavarzan for hooking early in the second period. It's the second time this season that Guelph has played a penalty-free game.
The final shots on goal were 23-22 for the Gryphons. They'll play again on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Gryphon Centre against the Laurier Golden Hawks, who blanked Guelph 2-0 in their first meeting back in October.
"We know that our effort needs to be as good or better," Flanagan said. "Laurier's in seventh place, but they play a similar style (to York). They're really relentless on their puck pursuit. And if we don't make better decisions with the puck, they've got some real talent that will put it in the back of our net."
Source: Guelph Grpyphons
Lakers dominate Rams for fourth straight win
Less than 24 hours after a big come-from-behind victory over Toronto Friday night, the Nipissing Lakers women's hockey team took care of business Saturday afternoon.
The Lakers dominated the Ryerson Rams, walking away with a 6-1 victory, their fourth straight and fourth in their last five on home ice.
The Lakers controlled every aspect of the game, received solid goaltending yet again and got a balanced attack, as they cruised to win number nine on the season.
Nipissing started the game strong and took the lead just before the midway point of the first period when Sam Strassburger scored a highlight reel goal shorthanded to put the Lakers up 1-0.
They weren't done there, however, as Nipissing scored twice more in the first period to build up a comfortable lead.
Janica Vossos tucked home a loose puck to make it 2-0 after her line – Brittany Taylor and Jylelle Carpenter-Boesch did a great job on the forecheck, causing the turnover and being rewarded with the goal.
Just 30 seconds later, the Lakers would make it 3-0 as Kayla Carter scored for the second straight game, this time, ripping a shot over the blocker of the Rams goalie to make it 3-0 after the first period.
Nipissing held a 10-8 shot advantage after 20 minutes of play.
In the middle frame, the Lakers continued their strong play and added to the lead.
Kaitlyn McManus scored her second goal of the season and second in as many games, as she picked up a loose puck and slid it into the empty net after the Rams were caught out of position during a scramble.
Before the period was out, Nipissing would add yet another goal, as Brooklyn Irwin blocked a shot at her own blueline, showed some great speed to break away from the defenders and made a nice move to score.
The goal made it 5-0 and it was Nipissing's second shorthanded tally of the game.
Nipissing would fire 10 more shots at the Rams net, chasing Ryerson's start Ally Sarna.
In the third, with the game well in hand, Carter found the back of the net yet again, scoring on a shot from the top of the circle that made its way through traffic and off the post and in.
Not long after, the Rams would cut the lead by breaking Lakers goalie Jackie Rochefort's shutout with just over six minutes remaining in the game.
The Rams ended up outshooting the Lakers in the third, but it was too little too late as Nipissing cruised to the three points and another win.
Carter led the Lakers attack with two goals, Rochefort finished with 22 saves, while the final shots were 23-23.
Nipissing's next action comes next weekend – Jan. 16 and 17 – when they hit the road to face Laurier Saturday and Waterloo Sunday.
Source: Nipissing Lakers
