Brock hosted the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 13 in a clash that saw the Badgers come out with a statement win, taking the game 2-1.
The Badgers have looked stellar on home ice so far, boasting a 3-1 record at Canada Games Park to that point. Historically, the Varsity Blues have had their number in St. Catharines, beating Brock in 11 out of the 15 matchups in St. Catharines. Both teams shared a 5-4 record heading into the game, with the visitors seated as the number nine-ranked team in the OUA.
The first period started back and forth as the two teams tried to find their footing early on. Things didn’t open up until three minutes into the game, when Ashley Delahey was sent to the box for tripping, giving the Badgers their first power play of the game. The game didn’t start as planned for the hosts, as they struggled to get anything set up in the offensive zone, wasting their power play. The Varsity Blues were great on the penalty kill all night, not letting Brock get any sort of structure in their end.
Things started getting shaky for the Badgers after JJ Parks was sent to the box for interference midway through the period. The visitors had no problem setting up their power play, having their way in the neutral zone for most of the first period. Multiple golden opportunities later and the Varsity Blues would find the back of the net for the first goal of the game, scored by Taylor Delahey off a slick cross-ice feed.
Things were looking bleak for the Badgers; they were all out of sorts, not being able to generate any offence off numerous careless passes that killed any chance of scoring.
Fast forward to the dying seconds of the period and Malika McDonald started a rush from her own end, fighting her way into Varsity Blue ice. The Badger forward would send a beautiful pass to the middle of the slot on a platter to Carly Sardine, who blasted one to the top right corner of the net to give the Badgers a much-needed goal. After the first period, the score was 1-1 with the Varsity Blues outshooting Brock 10-6.
The second period was a whole different story for the Badgers. Right out of the gate, the girls were playing with a fire lit under them. Head Coach Margot Page’s intermission speech must have worked, as the cohesion looked night and day compared to the opening period. Passes through the neutral zone were crisp, and the Badgers were getting what they wanted entering the Varsity Blues side of the ice. It didn’t take long for their outstanding play to pay off as the Badgers would have the puck in the offensive zone off a broken play at the blueline. Randyll Strongman would pick up the puck and make a highlight reel pass to Taylor Wolsey, who sent a rocket to the top right corner, putting the Badgers up 2-1. The Badger bench erupted, even putting a smile on Page’s face in the process.
It was all Brock through the first half of the period, dominating with a relentless forecheck and physicality that was nowhere to be found just a period before. It wasn’t until the second half of the period that Toronto fought back. After a body check and head contact minor that brought Brock’s momentum to a halt, the Varsity Blues began to take control. For the final seven minutes of the period, the visitors were all over the Badgers. Multiple extended possessions in the offensive zone left Brock in need of a change. With just two minutes left, the Badgers were able to keep the Varsity Blues at bay, stopping any rush that was brewing.
At the end of the period, the score remained 2-1 in favour of Brock.
Despite all the stakes lying in the third period, most of the frame played as a chess match. The game was in a stalemate for the better part of 15 minutes. Brock had the edge in chances, continuing their aggressive forecheck from puck drop. At one point, it looked as though Toronto had tied the game off a scramble in front, but the play was whistled dead, as the game carried on.
With just six minutes to go, Toronto needed something, and fast. The Varsity Blues were struggling to find any identity on offence as the Badgers were playing lockdown defence in the final stretch. It was Brock’s forwards that did a job, not allowing any sort of rush to begin, putting pressure on the puck at any given chance.
With just under three minutes remaining, Toronto pulled their goalie, but to no avail. The Varsity Blues couldn’t find the game-tying goal, as the Badgers thwarted off the number nine-ranked team in the OUA.
The Badgers outshot the Varsity Blues 28-27 after trailing in that category for a large portion of the game.
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With the win, the Badgers move to 6-5 on the season and climb to third in the OUA West. The Badgers lost to the Ottawa Gee-Gees 3-2 two days later, falling behind the Laurier Golden Hawks in the standings.