Box Score Ashley Kirby's dramatic overtime goal propelled the Windsor Lancers Women's Hockey team into the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the #2 ranked Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo.
Kirby's marker provided the visiting Lancers with the impressive victory and crushed Laurier's hopes of an undefeated season on Monday afternoon.
With the victory, Windsor clinches the final playoff spot in the OUA as they leap-frogged both Brock and Western in the standings to finish with 26 points. Both the Badgers and the Mustangs finished with 25 points.
The Lancers will now face the York University Lions on Saturday afternoon in Toronto in the OUA Quarter-Finals.
Coming into the weekend, Windsor needed a victory over Western on Saturday and at least a point on Monday against Laurier to earn a playoff spot.
Head Coach Jim Hunter's team delivered in a big way as they earned a hard fought 2-1 overtime victory over the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon before defeating Laurier by the same score on Monday in Waterloo.
In all, the Lancers won 9 of their final 11 games to come storming back in the standings to earn a playoff spot.
“We are very excited with this victory and to now be in the playoffs,” commented Coach Hunter. “Since Christmas, our team has been focused and has made the commitment necessary to be successful in this league. It has taken a lot of hard work but we are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in the post season.”
On Monday, the Lancers needed at least a point to secure a playoff spot while the Golden Hawks were looking to complete an undefeated season in league play.
Laurier got on the board first on a power play as Abby Rainsberry scored an unassisted goal to put the Hawks up 1-0.
Despite constant pressure from Laurier's attack, the Lancer defense held their ground as Jamie Tessier was spectacular in goal for Windsor.
The 1-0 lead for the Golden Hawks held up until late in the game before rookie Kiely Barnett scored her second career CIS goal with just under two minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game.
Barnett went in alone on Laurier goaltender Liz Knox and scored a beautiful goal to send the game into overtime.
With the point earned and a playoff spot secured, the Lancers remained hungry for the win and now looked to spoil Laurier's perfect record in extra time.
In overtime, Windsor would finish it off in style as a Candace Rapchak and Jackie Leavoy created a great scoring chance for Ashley Kirby who snapped the puck past the Laurier goaltender to lift the Lancers to the 2-1 victory.
For the Lancers, goaltender Jamie Tessier turned in a sensational performance as she stopped 52 of 53 shots to earn the win.
The Lancers have now clinched the sixth seed for the playoffs and will face the third seeded York Lions on Saturday, February 20th in Toronto.
Stay tuned to www.goLancers.ca for more game information as it becomes available.
