The Nipissing Lakers women’s hockey team continue their quest for the McCaw Cup tonight when they take on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Both the Lakers and Blues needed Game 3 wins to advance and set up the semi-final showdown, with the winner advancing to take on either Guelph or Waterloo in the finals.
Toronto beat Nipissing in both of their regular season meetings, winning 2-1 in both games with one decision coming in overtime. Nipissing finished in second place, two points head of Toronto in third. Both teams finished hot down the stretch, with the Lakers going 7-2-1 in their final 10 games and the Blues finishing the year 8-2-0.
The Lakers have been led by Jade Gauthier and Brooklyn Irwin so far offensively. Gauthier had three goals and one assist in Round 1, while Irwin had two goals and two assists. Natalie Graham and Sam Strassburger also had three assists in Round 1. Game 1 tonight in Toronto is at 7:00pm, and Game 2 will be back in North Bay at Memorial Gardens on Friday at 7:00pm. Game 3, if necessary, will be Saturday at 7:00pm at Memorial Gardens.
