North Bay, ON – The Nipissing Lakers Women's Hockey team came up short in their Friday night match against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, losing 3-1 at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens.
The first period opened quickly in the Varsity Blues' favour as Abby Whitworth scored at the 1:30 and 2:01 marks of the first period. The crowd of 3100 at Memorial Gardens were stunned by the quick scoring of Toronto.
The Lakers had one power play opportunity in the first period but were unable to generate any offense, and Toronto took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. Shots were 11-9 for Toronto.
The second period saw much of the same back and forth between the teams. Neither Nipissing nor Toronto could generate much in terms of sustained zone play for much of the second. At 8:10, after a small scrum post-whistle, Talia Fisher of Nipissing received a 2-minute minor penalty for roughing, while Toronto's Jaia Freer and Taylor Delahey were both sent to the penalty box. The Lakers had another power play opportunity to get into the game but were unsuccessful in scoring.
The last 10 minutes of the period saw a few chances for either side, until Taylor Delahey scored with 5 seconds remaining in the frame for the Varsity Blues. Toronto took a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.
The third period began with similar-paced action to the first forty minutes. Toronto, maintaining their 3-0 lead, was shorthanded at 7:03 as Said Watkins Southward took a body checking minor penalty. Nipissing seemed to generate more shots on net during this power play; unfortunately, Tessa Kosec of Nipissing took an interference penalty, cutting the power play short and turning the game to 4 on 4. Both penalties were killed with no scoring.
Nipissing managed a few 2 on 1 chances into the Toronto zone and began generating more shots on net during the middle portion of the frame. Abby Lunney of the Lakers broke through at 12:51 of the third for her 3rd of the season, cutting the Blues' lead to two.
This felt like a potential turning point in the contest. Nipissing, down only 2, were given another power play opportunity at 14:40. The Lakers had a couple good chances, but Carlie Primomo was called for tripping at 15:52, ending the Lakers power play. The play turned 4 on 4 once again, and after a short power play for Toronto, back to even strength.
The Lakers pressed late in the last minute of play, but Toronto held on to take a 3-1 win on the road.
Lakers goaltender Jordan Sladics stopped 20 of 23 Toronto shots in the loss. Nipissing's Melissa Sveinson assisted Abby Lunney's goal in the third period.
For Nipissing, the loss put the team's record at 2-6 on the season, 1-3 at home and 1-3 on the road. The Lakers next game is November 14 against Toronto Metropolitan at Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens. Puck drop is at 5pm.
#GoLakers
