ARPAN KAUR // yorkulions.ca

It took overtime for the No. 2 nationally ranked Toronto Varsity Blues to drop the York University Lions women's hockey team Saturday night. The first-place Blues were faced with a resilient York squad taking them to the limit before ultimately dropping the game 2-1 on a breakaway goal in extra time by Taylor Trussler.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The tight contest proved to be tough for both teams, as neither was able to locate the back of the net in the first period.
• Sydney Paulson had the ice breaker for the Lions, putting them on the board at 9:11 of the second with her second goal of the season on a feed from Courtney Gardiner, one-timing it past the Blues netminder Madeline Albert. That stood as the lone goal of the second period.
• A game full of tension also became knotted up on the scoreboard in the late stages of the third period. The Blues were eagerly in a search of a goal to maintain their undefeated record, and they were able to will it into existence when Nikki McDonald connected the puck to the net at 13:13 to send the game into overtime. 
• Blues forward Taylor Trussler wasted no time in striking again in the extra frame, as she sped out on a breakaway lifting the puck past Lions netminder Serena Vilde at 3:40, propelling the Blues to their fifth-straight victory.   

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
 
"We had more plays on the puck today which led to more opportunities on the offensive end, and a high level of compete. We are going to continue to fine-tune on details and need to continue to work on managing the puck better and scoring five-on-five." — Head coach Dan Church   

LOOKING AHEAD
 
The Lions wrap up their fall term schedule, as they head into the Winter break. The Lions will resume their season on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, where they host the Queen's Gaels at Canlan Ice Sports. The first 2022 puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 pm.