Women's hockey eyeing strong return for Toronto doubleheader

TORONTO - Playing just six games before the holiday break, the Rams women's hockey team's momentum was swiftly stunted by the January lockdown.

"When the announcement came out with the shutdown, it was definitely disheartening. I think it hit us pretty hard," said head coach Lisa Haley last Friday after practice.

At the end of the session, Haley told her squad to rest up for their return to game action this week. The Rams are finally back on Thursday, February 10th, visiting the OUA-best Toronto Varsity Blues. Toronto then visits Mattamy Home Ice on Saturday.

"UofT brings out the best in us," said Haley, echoing her statements before the Rams last game in December. The Blues have yet to lose in regulation, though Lauren Nicholson forced overtime in a 3-2 loss on December 3.

While complimenting Toronto's program, Haley seems to look forward to the cross-town challenge.

"We get to measure where we are right out of the gate. It's going to come down to winning percentage in terms of playoff seeding, so we want to win as many games as we can. But, I think it's great to start off with UofT," she said, foreshadowing a potential playoff run in a month's time.

During the extended break, Haley mentioned that the team stayed connected over Zoom while the unknown state of returning to play loomed. A total of seven games were cancelled, affecting some divisional matchups.

"We're in a division, we're supposed to play the same five teams, and we still haven't even seen two of the teams - so that was a little bit disappointing," said Haley.

"We're looking forward to seeing what everybody looks like before the playoffs," she added, as the Rams will face Queen's and Ontario Tech by the regular season's end in March.

Forward Savannah Bouzide has made an immediate impact for the Rams, averaging a point-per-game with six assists. Affectionately referred to as "Bouzie" by her teammates, she's consistently one of the last skaters to leave the ice after practices.

When locked out of the Mattamy Athletic Centre, Bouzide went home to Windsor over the holidays.

"The lockdown was definitely hard on my endurance level and fitness," she said, still out of breath from her extra practice. "We got creative. I was lifting oil because I didn't have many weights. No gyms (were) open."

Bouzide said that the team's overtime loss to Toronto last semester was difficult. "Staying on extra (after practice) helps with that third period or overtime push."

However, like coach Haley, Bouzide is looking forward to facing the dangerous Varsity Blues.

"These next two games, especially having (Toronto) first, is going to be a great test for us. I think we're preparing great on and off the ice too. Our confidence level is high again."

Puck drop at Varsity Arena is slated for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday while the Rams return home for 4:00 p.m. puck drop on Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Nicholson: F; 5' 9"; 5

#16 Savannah Bouzide: F; 5' 5"; 5

Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Nicholson
: 5' 9"; 5
: F

#16 Savannah Bouzide
: 5' 5"; 5
: F

Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Nicholson

#16 Savannah Bouzide

Players Mentioned

#2 Lauren Nicholson

#16 Savannah Bouzide