TORONTO, ON – With the first week of OUA WOMEN’S hockey in 2024 in the rearview mirror, some teams could continue their strong form coming off the first half, while others had hiccups. For some, though, flipping the calendar allowed them a fresh start and a new look in the quick sprint towards the OUA McCaw Cup Playoffs.
Here are two things we learned from OUA women’s hockey this week.
READ MORE | What we learned from OUA men’s hockey this week
Herrfort is flying as Waterloo keeps winning
The Waterloo Warriors may not quite be in the battle for first place in the OUA West, but they’ve easily been the second-best team in the division all season, and their most recent run of five straight wins points to an even brighter stretch run.
After winning their final three games of the first half, the Warriors grabbed two wins in their first games back, taking down the OUA East-leading Nipissing Lakers 2-1 before beating the TMU Bold 5-2, just hours after travelling to Toronto from North Bay.
Under head coach Shaun Reagan, the Warriors have established a fast-paced game over the last several years, particularly with their top forward line and defensive pairing, using faster skaters and quick and precise puck movement.
Although the group said farewells to some key players last season, veteran Leah Herrfort, among others, has taken up the reins, and Waterloo is looking as strong as ever. Herrfrot, in particular, had a strong weekend, scoring three goals, including a highlight reel dangle against TMU.
Outside of Herrfort and the top-line players, the Warriors also have the luxury of two elite netminders, with Mikayla Schnarr having started 12 games to the tune of a .931 save percentage, backed up five games from Kara Mark, who has a .935 on that stat line.
Waterloo returns to action this weekend against the OUA West second-place Toronto Varsity Blues before facing the Windsor Lancers.
Erica Fryer posts back-to-back shutouts
The Toronto Varsity Blues have not been as dominant in 2023-24 as they have been in past seasons, but the return from the holiday break couldn’t have gone any better for veteran netminder Erica Fryer.
Entering her final semester with the Varsity Blues, the senior-year netminder posted two shutouts against the York Lions and Laurier Golden Hawks as Toronto won 2-0 and 4-0 to chip away at Nipissing’s lead atop the OUA East.
Although not likely contending opponents, the shutouts never come easy, and Fryer ensured that Toronto’s pair of astute defensive performances did not go to waste.
As head coach Vicky Sunohara, captain Taylor Trussler and the rest of the Varsity Blues look to end an era for the current core on a high note with a third McCaw Cup in four seasons, they enter the second weekend of the second half with games against challenging opponents in Waterloo and the Queen’s Gaels.