TORONTO - It ain't over til it's over. A week ago the TMU women's hockey team's playoff chances looked all but dead in the water, but a 3-0 win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday night has the Bold just a single win away from an incredible late season turnaround. The Bold sit two points behind York for the final playoff spot in the OUA East with one game remaining.

"I don't know what lightning we've caught in a bottle," said head coach Lisa Haley of the Bold's hot streak. "Hopefully there's some left for at least one more game."

The Bold, winners of three straight entering tonight's contest, began tonight's matchup reliant on goalkeeper Alexia Stratos. Stratos has played a big role in the Bold's win streak, stopping 52 of 54 shots she's faced in her previous two starts this season. Penalties would stall the Bold momentum in the beginning stages, as six penalty minutes limited the Bold to just one shot on goal through the first half of the opening period. Despite their early work, the Bold penalty kill would be perfect through the first period. It continued a trend present throughout the win streak, during which TMU has been a perfect 19-for-19.

"I think we've found some chemistry (on the PK)," said Haley. "Pairs on the front end with the forwards (has led) to them reading off each other really well."

The Bold offensive output would improve in the latter stages of the first period, generating multiple rushes off counterattacks. They were unable to solve the Golden Hawks goalkeeper, however, keeping the score 0-0 after the first twenty minutes.

It would remain scoreless until the 16:21 mark of the second period, when captain Emily Baxter chipped a backhander past the Laurier netminder to give the Bold a 1-0 lead. The Bold would look more dangerous offensively after the goal, drawing a pair of penalties to keep the momentum going.

They failed to convert on the first opportunity but Cailey Davis would double the Bold lead on the second, recording her fifth goal of the season on the advantage. It came off a rebound from a Megan Breen point shot, which Davis funneled back on goal to put the Bold firmly in the driver's seat through the halfway point. The Bold would carry their two goal advantage into the final frame following a good finish to the middle stanza defensively.

"I think our power play's been on fire as of late," said Cailey Davis. "In the last two weeks we've really found our groove."

It would be a back and forth start to the final frame with Laurier pushing for an early goal to put a dent in the Bold lead. As a result the squads traded rushes down the ice, and power play chances, but both were unable to change the scoreline through the first half of the third period. 

The Bold would eventually begin to find the better chances as the period continued, keeping the Golden Hawks hemmed into their defensive end as they looked for a game-clinching insurance marker. Abby DeCorby and Tori Butler, both honoured pregame on Senior Night, took initiative on offence from their defensive position, each generating chances when given the puck.

The Bold were equally strong defensively the rest of the way, as Laurier didn't see many high-quality opportunities to get back into the game. Neely Van Volsen would add an empty net goal to give the game its final score.The Bold would close out the shutout as Stratos stopped all 41 shots she faced.

"We've just been playing as a team, keeping it simple," said Stratos after the contest.

The Bold will need help if they hope to get into the playoffs, but their play of late has given plenty to be excited about. They finish the regular season next Thursday against the Toronto Varsity Blues, as they look to complete the late season turnaround.