The Brock Badgers women’s hockey team faced a narrow defeat against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Jan.19, extending their losing streak to three games. The Ridgebacks secured a 3-2 victory in a game that showcased competitive play from both sides.
The Badgers kicked off the scoring with Camie Matteau Rushbrook’s first goal of the season just 33 seconds into the first period. However, Ontario Tech quickly responded with Kayla Welk tying the score at 1-1. While Alyssa Denney gave the Ridgebacks the lead in the second period, Randyll Strongman’s shorthanded goal levelled the game at 2-2. Julianne Davidson’s late second-period goal secured the win for Ontario Tech.
Brock’s penalty kill held strong in the final period, stopping the Ridgebacks’ power plays. Despite controlling the play and generating chances, the Badgers couldn’t find the equalizer. Goaltender Kenzie Harmison made 28 saves, keeping the Badgers in contention.
While both teams had opportunities on the power play, none were converted. The game was marked by Rushbrook and Strongman’s scoring efforts for Brock and Welk, Denney, and Davidson finding the net for Ontario Tech.
The outcome may not have favoured the Badgers, but their competitive performance set the stage for their Saturday night contest against the University of Windsor.
The Badgers did not fare well in their last game against Windsor, losing 5-1 at home back on Oct. 27, 2023. Looking to tie the season series the Badgers came out strong, outplaying the Lancers in the first period. The score remained zero through 39 minutes of play. It was a late powerplay goal in the dying moments of the second period that opened the scoring. A Robataille shot from the point was tipped past the goaltender by Cronkwright, giving the Badgers a 1-0 lead heading into the third period.
In the final frame, the Lancers looked like a different team, dominating out of the gate. It took them just under seven minutes to tie the game at 1-1 with a goal from Jaden Cherry. Despite back-and-forth action, neither team would find the game-winner by the end of 60 minutes, pushing the Badgers to their third overtime of the season.
With 4:27 left to go in the overtime Duarte was tripped up cutting to the net, leading to a four-on-three powerplay for the Badgers. After sustaining pressure in the Lancers zone to start the powerplay, a cross-crease chance for the Badgers led to a scramble in front and a Lancer player closing her hand on the puck in the crease, resulting in a penalty shot for Brock.
Jenna Duarte made no mistake on the penalty shot, leading to a 2-1 Badgers victory to end the three-game losing streak.
Brock women’s hockey team plays two road games on Jan. 26 and 27 against TMU and Nipissing. Both games can be streamed on OUA.tv. For more information on the team visit gobadgers.ca.
