OSHAWA, Ont. – Over 400 screaming elementary school kids could not convince the referee that Toronto's go-ahead goal in the third period was a high stick as the Toronto Varsity Blues picked up a 2-1 victory over UOIT in their annual women's hockey school day game.
Three minutes into the third period, Kassie Roache knocked the puck out of the air and into the back of the net to break a 1-1 draw. The referee looked as if he was going to wave the goal off because of a high stick, but ended up deciding that the play would stand giving the Varsity Blues the lead for good.
The Ridgebacks would fire 12 third period shots on goal, but goaltender Madeline Albert of Whitby stopped all of them to give the Varsity Blues the one-goal victory. Albert has a 1.44 goals against average in her freshman campaign with Toronto.
In the second period, it looked as if UOIT had jumped out in front twice on the same shift. An initial shot banked off the crossbar, with many in the stands thinking it was off the back bar and in. Twenty seconds later on the same shift, the puck would go in but after the referee had already blown his whistle.
Kassidy Nauboris (Brampton, Ont.) would score the Ridgebacks' lone goal, beating Albert on a nice solo effort midway through the second period. Cristine Chao scored the Varsity Blues' opening goal in the first period.
Briar Hughes (Thornton, Ont.) made 19 saves in the losing effort. The second year netminder has a 2.01 goals against average but only one win on the season.
UOIT outshot Toronto 29-21 including 24-13 in the final two periods.
The Ridgebacks (2-2-6-1) are five points behind the Varsity Blues (5-0-4-1) for the final playoff position with one game remaining in first semester action. That match will take place on Saturday at the Campus Ice Centre against the Ryerson Rams (3-3-3-1). Puck drop is at 3:30 p.m.
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 4-12-1
Conference Record: 4-6-1
Next Game: Saturday, Nov. 25 vs. Ryerson (3:30 PM – Campus Ice Centre)
