TORONTO — The final score is truly what matters in competitive sport. 

But judging a group strictly based on the results certainly has its pitfalls, especially because outcomes rarely capture the nuanced journey a young team goes on through the course of a season. 

The small victories that happen between the opening puck drop and the final buzzer eventually compound enough to push a team into the next step of its development. In the blink of an eye, something clicks, and it's a feeling that can't be captured by a box score. 

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team put together a program-building win by defeating the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 3-2 on Saturday. 

It took an overtime shootout to secure the victory, but for a team that has experienced relentless heartbreak this season, any type of 'feel-good' win is monumental. 

"These close games feel like an emotional roller-coaster," said Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley. "We just tried to stay mentally in the right zone and we had the right attitude." 

With the win, the Bold improved to 4-7 in one-goal games. 

In the shootout, it was Maddy Collins who executed what might end up being the highlight of the year. With the game on the line, Collins faked like she was moving the puck to her backhand and instead let the puck freely glide on its own through the five-hole of Varsity Blues goalie Lyla McKinnon.

Moments later, Gaby Gareau secured the victory with a perfectly placed shot above the netminder's shoulder. It was Gareau's second attempt in the shootout. The marathon of a spectacle involved 14 shooters and Gareau wasn't going to let another opportunity slip away.

"In my first attempt, I went in tight and wasn't able to finish high," explained Gareau. "So for the second attempt, I knew I wanted to stay a little bit higher in the crease, still try to move her but finish high." 

The Bold had a game plan to attack McKinnon. After moving her laterally during previous attempts and with Collins beating her between the pads, Gareau was locked in on finishing under the bar. 

"She knew what she was looking for and absolutely buried it," added Haley. 

In the aftermath of being shut out against the Laurier Golden Hawks less than 12 hours ago, the Bold were animated from the opening puck drop. TMU produced two quality scoring chances in the period, with Abby Fletcher setting up Collins on a two-on-one rush. While Collins was stopped by McKinnon, the Bold quickly caught the Varsity Blues' attention. 

The second opportunity came on an early power play. Kalysta Song glided a pass to the left face-off circle, which set up Gareau for a thunderous one-timer that McKinnon unfortunately stonewalled. 

TMU's momentum came to a screeching halt when Britni Yammine was called for a five-minute major penalty. The Bold's special teams unit prevented the Varsity Blues from scoring before the intermission. But with just over a minute into the second period, Abby Whitworth scored from the slot to give the University of Toronto the 1-0 lead. Whitworth's 14 goals currently lead the OUA. 

Rookie goaltender Katie Frost was brilliant in her fourth game back from an injury that sidelined her for most of the season's first half. After stopping 46 shots against the Windsor Lancers on Jan. 10, Frost recorded 33 saves against the Varsity Blues. The five-foot-nine goalie has now won her last two starts. 

"She has such a calm presence," said Haley. "It doesn't seem like any moment is too big for her."

The Bold pride themselves on their motor. TMU would draw the next three penalties because of their effort level. The scales of momentum began to tip when Megan Bergmanis put her speed on full display as she skated for the puck near the Bold bench, subsequently forcing a Varsity Blues defender to trip her. 

Minutes later, Riley Del Monte drew a body-checking penalty during a scramble in front of the Varsity Blues' net. TMU captain Cailey Davis then drew a cross-checking call 14 seconds later. Unfortunately, the University of Toronto would kill the ensuing five-on-three power-play. 

TMU has struggled with the player advantage this season, but the disappointing returns didn't discourage the team against their inner-city rivals. Davis' leadership has been an irreplaceable source of inspiration for a young team learning on the fly. During a late penalty kill, the veteran blocked a vicious shot. Davis slowly skated back to the bench with an apparent injury to her arm. But it was business as usual for the captain who has consistently put her body on the line this season. Davis later returned to the ice to play the remainder of the contest. 

Near the end of the second period, Frost produced one of the most jaw-dropping saves of the OUA season. While sprawled on the ice, Frost flashed her glove to rob a Varsity Blues player who pounced on a loose puck in front of the crease. It kept the game within reach for the eventual drama of the third act.

After McKinnon turned the puck over behind her own net, Del Monte found herself in the right place at the right time. In a split second, Del Monte made the right read and tucked the puck in the net to tie the game. 

"Finally getting bounces to go our way was great for morale," said Gareau. 

The University of Toronto later scored again to reclaim the lead.

Under a minute left in the game, Haley and her coaching staff called a timeout to ensure her team was on the same page for the final push. 

"The first thing is to try and keep the focus narrow…and not think too big of a picture," said Haley. "Then we walked through what the actual look was for the six-on-five."

It was then Neely Van Volsen's turn to play hero. The third-year forward snapped a shot from the blue line through traffic, which ultimately ended in the net, effectively sending the game to overtime and the aforementioned shootout. 

The Bold's next opportunity to build on their momentum is against the Guelph Gryphons on Jan. 23. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on OUA.tv.