Box Score The Lancer women's hockey team kicked off their first playoff appearance in six years in dramatic fashion, defeating the Guelph Gryphons 1-0 in double overtime Wednesday night in Guelph.
With the win, the blue and gold hold a 1-0 lead in the best of three series. Game two is scheduled for Saturday in Windsor.
STATS
Kristen Swiatoschik showcased her confidence in net making 38 saves to earn the shutout.
Forward
Emily Eikelboom was a pivotal player in the game and scored the game winner seven minutes into the second overtime period.
GAME FLOW
As the Lancers kicked off the playoff train for Windsor, the period opened with some early action in front of Swiatoschik. The blue and gold took control early in the game and outshot the hosts 10-5 in the opening twenty minutes.
The Lancers started the second period shorthanded and the Gryphons used the man advantage to put pressure on Swiatoschik who remained unfazed. Guelph dominated the period and made multiple attempts to generate some offense. Despite more back and forth in the last three minutes of the period, no one could seem to capitalize on their opportunities, sending the game into the third period still tied at zero.
The final 20 minutes saw both teams pick up the pace as first year forward
Keana McKibbin made a shot along the goal line that Fedel swiped away in desperation to keep the game at 0. The blue and gold kept the energy up knowing the opening goal would make a huge impact for the team and set the tone. In the dying moments of regulation,
Jaden Cherry had Windsor's next best chance, but Fedel covered it up in the knick of time.
Windsor started the overtime with the upper hand, starting the period on the power play. Swiatoschik was put to the test as the Gryphons go on a rushing charge to make a one time shot, yet she catches it glove side and continued to keep the Lancers alive.
In the second overtime, fatigue started to set in, an it was a battle of who would have the legs left to make the final play. It would be
Emily Eikelboom who would go on a breakaway and beat Fedel to give the Lancers a 1-0 victory.
UP NEXT
Windsor will now host the Gryphons for game TWO of the OUA quarter-finals series this Saturday, February 25th at 3:00pm. Tickets for the game will be available online at goLancers.ca/tickets.
