Toronto, ON – On a chilly Friday evening, the TMU Bold secured a very important 3-1 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks to further cement their position in such a tight OUA East division playoff race.

With both TMU and Queen’s winning, the Bold have further separated themselves from the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks for the fourth and final playoff spot in the OUA East.

The first period went as smoothly as the Bold could’ve wanted. With the majority of the play being in the Ridgebacks end, it was only time before the Bold capitalized. That came with just under two minutes remaining as Olivia Giardetti sniped the puck glove side for her sixth of the season. 

“I’m really happy with our start, I think that we built off what we did at Western,” TMU coach Lisa Haley said. “We fell asleep in the first shift against Brock, and that was a focus for us. It made us realize just how important every minute of the game is.”

As well as TMU began the game, the start to the second period was a different story. Just 15 seconds in, off a faceoff in the TMU Bold defensive zone the Ridgebacks gained possession and Emily Davis-Tope tied the game, 1-1. 

Erika Crouse has been an instrumental part of this Bold offence the entire year and she came in clutch once again. Late in the second, coming out from the left corner, she drove the puck hard to the net and Lauren McEachen tapped it home to regain the lead for the Bold, 2-1.

That also marked Lauren McEachen’s first career OUA goal. She went unmarked as she cruised in from the offensive blue line to pick up the loose change. 

“It feels great. I’ve been looking forward to it and been trying to get it all season. I’m glad it came when we needed it.” McEachen said.

Alexia Ursua padded the lead for the Bold as off a scramble in front of the Ridgebacks net, she tapped home her third of the season to make it, 3-1.

With the win TMU took a step closer toward finalizing their spot in the 2023 McCaw Cup playoffs but they know the job isn’t done yet. 

“We’re in playoffs already. Every game matters. We need to get points in every game,” Haley said.

On PHF All-Star Game in Toronto

Over the previous weekend, the Mattamy Athletic Centre played host to the PHF All-Star game which meant something extra special to Lisa Haley who now works as Senior VP of Hockey Operations for the PHF on top of her time at TMU.

“We were looking for a location somewhere in North America and I know how well the MAC shows and what a great host it is. I’m blessed to have the support of Luke Cowan to be able to host it here,” Haley said.

For the PHF, it couldn’t have put all-star game in a better situation. . 

“The goal of the PHF is to grow the game globally and there was a lot of effort to do that,” Haley said. “We flew over two IIHF refs from Europe. We had coaches from Europe we brought over as well to showcase how global it is. TSN streamed us live on three or four different channels. I’m definitely excited about the momentum we are gaining.”

COVER: Josh Kim/TMU Athletics