TORONTO—In a physical battle that saw 12 penalties issued throughout the game, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team lost 5-0 against the Windsor Lancers on Thursday night.
"[Windsor] had a five-hour bus ride, riding up here," said Bold head coach Lisa Haley. "We showed up in the first period, and then the ice tilted the rest of the game, and that's on us."
Things seemed to be in TMU's favour early in the first. The Bold were pressuring in Windsor's offensive zone, taking multiple shots throughout, but none found the back of the net.Â
With a chance early on, forward Alizee LeBlanc tried to sneak one past the pads of Windsor's netminder; however, it was pinched away and sent up the ice.
Continuing to build momentum, Bold attackers and defenders alike rushed up the ice to nab the puck, sending it back down into Windsor territory, where it slid into the boards.
Defender Dayle Chinnick was knocked down while in a duel to get the puck, and her defensive instincts immediately kicked in. First, Chinnick guarded the puck with her torso, then kicked her leg out to prevent the Lancers from grabbing possession.
Minutes later, forward Alex Dusome was knocked down by Windsor, and the Bold were awarded their first power play on a holding call.Â
TMU did a great job at passing throughout the Lancers' offensive zone, generating some solid chances. Forward Anna McKee ripped a shot right into the chest of Windsor's netminder.Â
Midway through their advantage, the Bold were called for slashing, creating a 4-on-4 opportunity.Â
With Windsor now on the power play, TMU's special teams unit worked to kill the penalty. After a successful penalty kill, the Lancers were called for interference, giving the Bold the advantage once more.
On an unfortunate clear during the power play that sent the puck almost right to Windsor's stick, the Lancers were able to strike first, making it a 1-0 game.Â
Before the period's end, Windsor was called for interference, giving TMU yet another power play. The latter half of the advantage was spent in the Bold's own end, as the Lancers continued to pressure.Â
"We had our looks early on the power play; it came down to some execution," said Haley. "Passive pulling up on sticks, some wide-open looks, and not being able to bury it early…you start squeezing it a little bit, and it's hard to find again."
Looking to even the score, TMU won the opening faceoff in the second period. As the Bold rushed up and inside of Windsor's offensive zone, it was unfortunately turned over and sent the other way.Â
Chinnick went to stop the puck, and it deflected off her stick right to a Lancer forward. After some quick shots and rebounds that were saved by starting netminder Sydney Pyburn, one snuck past her, making it a 2-0 game for Windsor.
With frustration beginning to build, Chinnick was called for interference just two minutes later. The Lancers kept up the pressure, but despite it all, Pyburn kept making great saves.Â
Windsor would score another goal before the period's end, resulting in Pyburn coming out and rookie goaltender Izzy Lane coming in for her second-ever appearance.Â
As the second period came to a close, TMU was being outshot 18-15, despite entering the period up 9-4.Â
50 seconds into the final period, the Lancers were called for tripping, giving the Bold yet another power play opportunity. Despite starting out hot in the first period, TMU's special teams had fizzled out.
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"When it's our turn to have the man advantage, it's important to us to find a way to put one in the back of the net," said Haley.
With teams now trading penalties, Windsor was able to squeak out two power-play goals before the game's end, bringing the final score to 5-0. Lane had a solid rebound performance, making 15 saves on 17 shots.
TMU has not won a home game against the Lancers since 2019.Â
Up next, the Bold will face the Western Mustangs on Sunday, November 8, in what is sure to be an entertaining matchup.
Puck drop is set for 2:15 p.m., and students can attend for free with their OneCards.
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