OSHAWA, Ont.– Ontario Tech's inaugural Her Way to Play celebration took centre stage on Thursday, November 20, as a sold-out Campus Ice Centre honoured young women in high-performance sport before the Ridgebacks fell 2–1 to the Laurier Golden Hawks.

The evening began with the recognition of twenty-one young women from local youth hockey associations, each presented with a Her Way to Play award for their leadership, determination and work ethic both on and off the ice. Award recipients enjoyed a pre-game dinner and special appearances from former professional players Victoria Bach and Rhyen McGill, who spent time encouraging and inspiring the next generation.

On the ice, Laurier opened the scoring with a second-period power-play goal before Ontario Tech answered at 15:34 when Julia Jackson tied the game off a setup from Amy Hermer and Faith Bennie. Laurier broke the deadlock late in the third, converting at 14:41 to secure the win. Zoe McGee finished with 21 saves for the Ridgebacks.

Ontario Tech plays its final home game before winter break on Saturday, November 22, when they host the Brock Badgers at 3 p.m.