Kaitlin Teixeira scored the decisive goal in a four-round shootout, leading the York University Lions women's hockey team to a thrilling 2–1 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks after a physical, defensive battle at Canlan Ice Sports.
The first two periods proved to be an absolute duel between goaltenders Olivia Tran for York and Ivy Nellis for Ontario Tech. Both netminders turned away early chances York neutralized early infractions from Isabela Huculak, Aashna Johal, Erica Miko, and Olivia Battram, while Ontario Tech held firm on power play opportunities for York after slashing and hooking penalties against Elissa Burton and Jessica Patterson, respectively. Through 40 minutes of play, neither side managed to break the scoreless deadlock.
The physical play intensified in the third frame with additional penalties assessed to York's Chloé Delaquis and Clara Liu, as well as Ontario Tech's Leah Hill.
York finally broke the long stalemate at 14:40 of the third period as Ginger Fast buried her second goal of the season, with Natalie Mamone and Mikayla Totten drawing the assists on the power play marker to give the Lions a 1–0 lead. However, Ontario Tech quickly responded on a power play of their own just over a minute later, with Mackenna Krulicki netting the equalizer at 15:52 assisted by Mikayla Todd and Amelia Zealand to draw the Ridgebacks level at 1–1 and force overtime.
After a scoreless extra period that saw Ontario Tech's Zoe Wilson serve a late head-contact penalty, and saw York outshoot the visiting Ridgebacks 10-3, the contest moved to a shootout.
Tran was flawless in the shootout, stopping all four shots faced from Ontario Tech's Emily Harrison, Krulicki, Leah Hill, and Todd. After York's first three attempts, by Teixeira, Miko, and Fast, failed, Teixeira stepped up again in the fourth round and made a beautiful move to pot winner to secure the 2–1 victory for York, their first of the season.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will look for their second straight win Saturday night when they take on the Queen's Gaels at Canlan Ice Sports. You can catch the game at 7:00 p.m., live and on-demand on OUA TV.
