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Payton Kerr (left) and Abby Howland (right)
Photo by Josh Kim
4
Winner Toronto TOR
1
Ryerson RYE
Winner
Toronto TOR
4
Final
1
Ryerson RYE
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Toronto TOR 2 1 1 4
Ryerson RYE 0 1 0 1

Game Recap: Hockey (W) | | Joe Mastromatteo

Toronto spoils teddy-bear toss night in 4-1 loss

TORONTO- The Toronto Varsity Blues proved to be too much to handle for the Rams on Friday night as they fell 4-1. 

In their first-ever teddy bear toss game in support of the Salvation Army and Toy Mountain, the Rams failed to catch up after a series of bad bounces and missed chances.

"I think right from the get go, it just seemed like it wasn't going to be our night in terms of the bounces and some of the calls," said head coach Lisa Haley after her first game back with the Rams. 

However, Rachel Seeley made 23 saves to take possession of the all-time Rams saves record as they were outshot 27 to 12. Both teams got plenty of chances on the power-play, with the Rams going a perfect 6-for-6 on the kill but 0-for-5 with the player-advantage. 

"She's a living legend amongst our women's hockey program with what she's done," said Haley about Seeley. "She's a real backbone for us. It's too bad we couldn't get a few more for her tonight. In the long run, we'll stay focused and try to be better next time in front of her."

A fluttering puck left Abby Howland in alone towards Seeley early in the game. Though the puck continued to bounce wildly, it was able to beat her outstretched pad, making it 1-0. 

The netminder was left little chance when a quick pass through the slot by Natasha Athanasakos was converted by Taylor Trussler later in the period, leaving Toronto up two. 

The Rams ran into some penalty trouble as the period came to an end. Captain Madison Lalonde was knocked down, sending the Rams' bench into a frenzy when no penalty was called. Erika Crouse was penalized later that shift, and a Julie Patricio double minor led to a two-player advantage for the Blues. 

"The tough part is when you're trying to chase the game and try to get back into it when you're down a player" added Haley. 

Six minutes into the second, Mia Morano's first of the season finally put the Rams on the board. After Patricio kept it in from the point, a rebound came right to Morano, who stuffed it in to make it 2-1. In line with the Rams' teddy bear toss, Morano's marker sent a flurry of colourful bears falling to the ice. 

"It was pretty exciting," said Morano post-game. "I was honestly surprised by (the rebound) but it was nice to get it started."

After the bears were shoveled off the ice, the Rams looked to tie things up. Seeley thwarted Toronto's chances throughout the frame, while Morano's line with Brooke Michaud and Payton Kerr generated chances. 

"That energy was good," added Morano. "We just tried to take the opportunity when we (were) given one."

Unfortunately for the Rams, an errant puck from behind the net was misplayed with just 9 seconds left in the period. It trickled past the line to make it 3-1 for Toronto, with Howland credited for the goal.

With under ten to go in the game, a giveaway at the Rams' blueline proved costly. Trussler earned her second of the game on a quick redirect, making it 4-1 and putting an end to the Rams' offensive hopes.

The Rams are back in action on the road next week, visiting Nipissing on Wednesday. They're back at home next Saturday to face the Lakers again in their final home tilt of the calendar year. 
 
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