TORONTO — It's not often that extra time is put on the clock after the opening period of a hockey game. But that's exactly what happened to the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team in their game against the Carleton Ravens. 

After the buzzer normally reserved to signal the first intermission sounded, both teams remained on the ice as the referees gathered to discuss whether or not Maddy Collins' unreal play ended up in the back of the net. The play-in-question had occurred over a minute before the clock hit zero. 

When the officials ultimately decided that Collins should be credited with her second goal of the season, the Bold bench erupted in jubilation.

"I can see how the refs missed it," said Collins. "But I heard it hit the back post...I knew it was in." 

The euphoria of the post-period celebration quickly dissipated when the referees put 1:12 back on the clock. With six seconds remaining in the replay, the Ravens scored the equalizer, deflating the momentum percolating inside the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

The Bold weren't able to fully regain that positive energy in what turned out to be a 2-1 loss to the Ravens. 

For a team that has consistently teetered on the edge of a meaningful run, the tightly-contested outcome was the latest chapter in a seemingly never-ending story of close calls. TMU is 4-10 in games decided by one goal this season. 

"We're looking for a little bit more fight because this program has high expectations," explained Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley. "There are things we can control so we're not in these positions." 

Abby Fletcher generated the Bold's first scoring opportunity of the game when she raced a Ravens defender for the puck on a potential breakaway. Fletcher tried to fight the defence off before getting tangled up. Carleton's goaltender Kaitlyn Langille poked the puck away before Fletcher could find possession. 

With both teams equally fighting for zone time in the first eight minutes, the Bold drew the first penalty of the contest when the Ravens were whistled for cross-checking. 

During the power play, Lauren McEachen zipped a pass from the blue line to Cailey Davis on the left face-off dot. Davis then managed to get a pass through the slot, but the puck just got away from Neely Van Volsen's stick.

Later in the period, the Bold skated out on a three-on-one rush with Gaby Gareau leading the way. The five-foot-nine forward executed a nifty give-and-go with teammate Kalysta Song, but Gareau's attempt sailed just wide of the net. 

"We need to connect more on our breakouts and generate more plays in the offensive zone," said Collins. 

Moments later, Van Volsen's shot from the slot was cleared away by Langille. In the second period, Ava Caputo's attempt from a similar spot in the Ravens' zone was also steered away.

Most of the second frame was a back-and-forth affair with neither team refusing to concede ice in their respective zones. Both teams combined for 10 shots in the period, their lowest total of the night. The Bold's best chance came when Riley Del Monte drew a slashing penalty while attempting to split the Ravens' defence.

Unfortunately, the Ravens would score a late goal for the second consecutive period to take the lead. 

Unsurprisingly for those who have followed the team this year, the Bold leaned on their 'never-give-up' attitude and threatened early in the third period. TMU nearly scored the game-tying goal when Van Volsen entered the zone and dropped the puck off to Davis. The captain fired a wrist shot that caught Van Volsen's stick in front of the net, but Langille closed her pads in time to stop the deflection. 

Bold goaltender Sydney Pyburn also did her part to keep the game close. She stopped 22 shots, including a breakaway and a three-on-one rush late in the third period. 

The Bold play their regular-season finale against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Feb. 14. The Bold will celebrate their graduating seniors before the game. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. TMU students can attend for free with their OneCard.