Box Score TORONTO - Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team defeated the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 3-1 on Friday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Lauren McEachen's first career OUA goal stood as the game-winner as Britni Yammine added the insurance marker midway through the third period.
"It was a huge game. The energy in the dressing room has been absolutely electric, so it feels good to win," said Bold forward Olivia Giardetti.
Coming into the night, the Bold and the Ridgebacks were separated by only two points for the OUA East's last playoff spot. However, with the win, the Bold gained three points to leapfrog the Queen's Gaels for third place.
"We needed all three [points] and we got all three, so we're pretty happy," Haley added. "I think for us we realized coming out of last weekend that we're in playoffs already. Every game matters and we need to get points every game."
TMU jumped out to a 1-0 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first. Giardetti received a tipped pass from Dani Fox in the neutral zone and took a shot that bounced off Zoe McGee's glove and into the back of the net.
"I was just trying to get a shot," Giardetti said with a laugh. "Sometimes there are weird bounces that happen. Definitely wasn't a bar down shot by any means."
In the second, the Ridgebacks put one on the board 15 seconds into the frame to level the game at one-a-piece. A Cassandra Delves shot was deflected in front by Emily Davis-Tope and found its way behind Stratos.
Nonetheless, late in the period, McEachen's first restored the Bold lead as she potted home a loose puck near the goal crease.
"I've been looking forward to [scoring my first goal]. I've been trying to get it all season essentially, but I'm glad it came when we needed it," said McEachen. "I saw Crouse driving to the net and I was looking for a pass through the middle, but the rebound came right up to me and I was able to tap it in. It was great."
The Ridgebacks deficit grew in the third as Yammine stuffed one in past McGee after a scramble in front of the net. With that, the blue and gold held on to their lead to secure the victory.
"They seem to match up well with us. We always have a real tight game. We knew it would be that tonight, we just had to find a way to come out on top of it," said Haley.
Next up, TMU heads off to face their crosstown rivals in the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday night. The Blues are currently riding a 15-game win streak with only two losses on their record throughout the entire season.
"With the win under our belts, it will give us more confidence to take [Toronto] on," said McEachen.
"They're a definitely well-oiled machine. They play really well in their own rink. There's not a lot of space," said Haley. "For us, we realize what we're walking into. [Toronto] has been a familiar foe for us. We won't be surprised by what's about before us, we just have to find the right way to play under those circumstances. It's a great free look at them before playoffs."
Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
"It's going to be two good teams going against each other and I think we're excited," said Giardetti."
