Progress isn't always linear. Nor does it follow a set of rules.
Despite ending on the wrong side of lopsided outcomes in their prior two games, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team displayed a newfound resilience in their 1-0 win over the Western Mustangs on Sunday.
With the victory, the Bold improved to 3-3 on the season and 2-1 while on their home ice at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).
Perhaps more significantly, TMU is now 2-0 in one-goal games this season. Last year, the Bold finished 4-10.
It began with a much-needed power play goal in the opening period, courtesy of rookie
Anna McKee. The five-foot-seven forward's initial shot from the left wing was blocked. However, the puck eventually made its way back when teammate
Maddy Collins fired a cross-ice pass right onto the tape of McKee's stick. McKee beat the Western goalie for the game's lone goal. It was McKee's first-career OUA goal.
"I was hoping to score one a little earlier in the season," said McKee. "But it's come now and I feel amazing."
McKee's recruitment to TMU was announced in May. One of the reasons she stood out was that she was invited to Hockey Canada's U18 National Team Summer Showcase both in 2023 and 2024. For Bold head coach Lisa and Haley and the rest of the staff, it's not a surprise that the forward made an impact in the game.
"She's definitely been grinding," said Haley. "It's so awesome to see her rewarded with that goal."
The goal also served as a confidence booster for TMU's power-play unit. Through five games, the Bold had only one goal with a player advantage. It helped that McKee was on the ice with teammates Collins and
Nahvin Bal. The trio displayed an impressive level of patience, zipping the puck across the ice with pinpoint accuracy. In the third period, McKee, Collins and Bal almost collaborated for another goal on a nearly identical set-up. Their undeniable chemistry can be traced back to their previous days playing together on the Fraser Valley Rush.
"They've had a chance to build chemistry before they arrived on the scene," said Haley. "If we can keep everyone healthy, they're just going to build on that and be even more dangerous as we move forward."
During post-game interviews, McKee highlighted how Collins and Bal have helped her transition to the OUA.
"It's a lot easier," said McKee. "Especially on the power-play, we all know where to be."
While the offence did enough on one end of the ice, the defence held their end of the bargain too. Goaltender
Sydney Pyburn stopped all 20 shots she faced, earning her third career OUA shutout. In the dying seconds of the game, Western applied an immense amount of pressure and nearly secured the game-tying goal, but Pyburn was there to make a clutch save. Despite Pyburn's heroics, she didn't hesitate to credit her surrounding cast.
"The team was playing well in front of me and I knew I just had to cover it on the backend," said Pyburn.
Several Bold players risked their bodies by blocking multiple shots throughout the game, and particularly during the back-end of the third period. Late in the game, defender
Jayden Fox stopped a shot from the left wing with her leg to thwart a potentially dangerous chance for Western
"It definitely makes my job easier," said Pyburn.
The TMU Bold continue their four-game homestand with a match-up against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Nov. 13. Puck-drop if scheduled for 6:15 p.m. EST. Fans can watch the game on OUA.tv or attend the game live at the MAC. Students get in for free with a TMU OneCard.
