TORONTO — Senior night is often a bittersweet experience. It's a finish line that beckons athletes into the next stage of their lives. It's a chance to honour young adults who have dedicated years of their lives to perfecting a craft they once fell in love with as children. More importantly, it's one final opportunity for an athlete to leave something behind for the next generation of players. Through their actions, they can hope to inspire those whom they hand the torch to. 

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's hockey team has dealt with its share of trials and tribulations during a tumultuous season. Injuries made a fast start to the season nearly impossible. An offence defined by flashes of genius but marred by inconsistency meant difficult lessons were learned during close games. 

In their regular-season finale, the Bold didn't get what they ultimately wanted in their 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday, but the team's veteran players certainly left their mark. 

Before the opening puck drop, the Bold celebrated seniors Lauren Griffin, Britni Yammine, Gaby Gareau, assistant captain Lauren McEachen and captain Cailey Davis. In their final appearance on the Bold, the group delivered a memorable send-off for their family and friends, combining for five points in their final time in a Bold uniform. 

"They've put so much into this," said Bold Head Coach Lisa Haley. "I'm very happy to see them find success on their final day." 

The positive energy first manifested during an early Bold power play. Defender Jayden Fox fired a pass from the blue line to teammate Dayle Chinnick near the left half-wall. Chinnick found Gareau with a cross-ice pass, who then placed the puck in the top right corner with pinpoint accuracy. 

"I just really wanted to show my team and coaches how much I appreciate the opportunity to play for such an amazing program," said Gareau. 

Later in the period, the Bold returned to the power play when the Gee-Gees were whistled for cross-checking. Less than ten seconds later, the Bold executed the same play that netted them their first goal. Yammine zipped the puck to Chinnick near the left wall, who subsequently found Gareau on the right wing. Gareau proved that lightning can strike twice when she picked out the same corner for her second of the contest. 

The Bold entered the game with just four power-play goals. With something to prove, TMU's special teams finally broke through. It was the first time the Bold had scored with the player advantage since Jan. 10. It also marked the first time this season that the Bold scored multiple power-play goals in a single game. 

Haley acknowledged the Bold's struggles on special teams, but she hopes the late breakthrough is another lesson the players can carry into the next year. 

"Stick with it and trust the process," Haley added when asked about other potential takeaways for her team. "Also embracing the hard side of it, because the hard way is fun too." 

While Gareau relentlessly hunted for the hat trick, McEachen and Davis demonstrated why they're viewed as leaders in the locker room. McEachern was a constant thorn in the side of the Gee-Gees throughout the game. The five-foot-nine Biomedical Science student blew up several of Ottawa's zone entry attempts and played with a physicality that future defenders have no choice but to live up to.

Late in the second frame, while TMU had its penalty-kill unit out on the ice, Davis chased a puck that was dumped into Ottawa's zone. Davis pinned the puck to the boards and fought off three Ottawa defenders on her own. For those lucky enough to be in attendance at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, it was one of the final times to witness the grit that defined Davis' career at TMU. 

"I had nothing to lose knowing my teammates were behind me," said Davis. "I wanted to make sure I left everything out there."

Just past the midway mark of the third period, Davis retrieved possession of the puck in her own end before finding teammate Kalysta Song, who then fired an outlet pass to Gareau. While on the breakaway, the senior shot the puck in the bottom right corner for her third goal of the game. 

It was Gareau's first hat trick of her OUA career. The magic of what was unfolding before everyone's eyes wasn't lost on her teammates, who erupted in joy on the bench. Admist the chaos, Davis darted towards the referee to retrieve the puck. Nothing mattered more in that moment. 

"I know how hard Gaby works," said Davis. "I was just so happy I got to be on the ice for that third goal because that moment meant so much to her."

"The second I got that goal, instead of celebrating with us, Cailey got that puck as a memento for me," said Gareau. "The support system we had here was unmatched." 

After the game, the entire team remained on the ice to celebrate with loved ones. While the season didn't go the way they had hoped, not a single person in uniform or on the coaching staff was ready to let go of the moment. 

"I've had such a blast," said Gareau. "I've made my best friends here...there's so much more to hockey...it really is the best four years of your life." 

While the team soaked in the post-game celebration, Haley watched from behind the glass. It was the perfect spot for someone who already owned a front row seat to watch her players grow over the last four-to-five years.

"Our message for them when they come in during their first year is always the same," said Haley. "That our responsibility is to help them reach their full potential, excel in the classroom, and be leaders on the ice and in the community." 

"They've all done so much in so many ways," added Haley. "Sometimes the final scoreboard or the long playoff run isn't the final result, but it's been a masterpiece for all of them for sure."

Before the season started, Davis was the first person to meet with TMU Bold's media team to help preview the year ahead. Seven months later, the captain has a message for the future of the program. 

"When I first got here, I was shy and kind of intimidated," said Davis. "Just trust who you are because that always translates onto the ice."