Gryphon women edged as Toronto squares series

TORONTO – The Guelph Gryphons will get another shot at securing berths in both the OUA women’s hockey McCaw Cup championship game and the U Sports national championship tournament.

The Gryphs were handed a 3-1 setback by the Toronto Varsity Blues in the second game of their best-of-three OUA semifinal series Friday night at Toronto’s Varsity Arena.

That result tied the series at a win apiece as the Gryphs edged the Varsity Blues 1-0 Wednesday night at the Gryphon Centre in the series opener.

Friday, Toronto scored twice in the first half of the second period and added their third goal into an empty net with 21 seconds to go.

Hannah Tait scored Guelph’s goal at 2:42 of the third with Tori Verbeek getting an assist on the goal.

Taylor Trussler scored twice for Toronto as she hit for goals in the opening minute of the second period and the final minute of the third period. Nikki McDonald added a shorthanded goal while Trussler, Kaitlyn McKnight and Francesca Monte each had an assist.

The Varsity Blues outshot the Gryphs 25-20 and there were no power-play markers in the match although Toronto had three power plays and Guelph had four.

Martina Fedel had 22 saves for the Gryphs while Erica Fryer had 19 for Toronto.

Third and final game of the series is set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Gryphon Centre.

Winner of the game is to host the McCaw Cup championship game March 9.

• Guelph Sports Journal