GUELPH, Ont. - The University of Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team booked their ticket to the semifinal round of the 2023 McCaw Cup Playoffs on Sunday (Feb. 26) after defeating the Windsor Lancers 3-2 in Game 3 of their best-of-three OUA quarterfinal series. After playing to a 2-2 tie at the end of regulation, the game went on for nearly four more overtime periods before
Hannah Tait ended it with 4:52 left in the fourth overtime period on Guelph's 73rd shot of the night. The Gryphons claim the best-of-three series 2-games-to-1, responding with back-to-back wins after losing the opening game 1-0 in double overtime back on Wednesday (Feb. 22). The U of G women's hcokey team will now take on the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in the semifinal round of the OUA playoffs, with the winner booking a spot in the McCaw Cup as well as a spot at nationals.
The quadruple overtime game last a total of 135:08 (75:08 of overtime), or nearly 5 hours of real-time, making it the 2nd longest game played in Gryphon women's hockey history. I
t is beaten by the longest game recorded in U SPORTS hockey history, men's or women's, which was played on March 2, 2011 between the Gryphons and Queen's Gaels in the OUA's championship series. The game lasted 167:14 (107:14 of overtime) and ended in a 2-1 victory for the Gaels.
Alexie Olivier opened the scoring for the Gryphons just past the 10-minute mark in the 1st period, finding the rebound from a
Maya Graham shot and beating Windsor goaltender Kristen Swiatoschik glove-side for her first of the postseason. The Gryphons would continue to pressure the Lancers in the remainder of the period, outshooting the visiting team 11-8 and would head into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
In the 2nd period, the Lancers quickly tied the game just over a minute into the period, meaning unlike the previous two games in the series, neither goalie would be leaving the ice with a shutout. A few minutes later, around the midway point in the period Gryphon goalie
Martina Fedel made an incredible, diving save to keep the game tied. The save proved to be just one of her impressive saves as she would finish the game with 44 total saves on 46 shots faced. Despite her standout play a few minutes later while on their second powerplay of the game Windsor took their first lead of the game. After 40 minutes of play the Lancers would maintain their 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd.
The two teams played a tightly-contested 3rd, with the Lancers looking to hold off a relentless Gryphon attack while the Guelph looked for the equalizer to try and save their season. After 19 minutes of hard-fought hockey it was
Abby Davies would saved the Gryphons season, redirecting a
Meaghan Chittick point shot to tie the game with just 49 seconds remaining and eventually send the two teams to overtime once again.
In the first two periods of extra hockey the Gryphons produced some of the best offensive stretches they had played all season, outshooting the Lancers 27-10 with plenty of quality scoring chances. At times the Gryphon offensive-zone cycle was so successful at keeping possession of the puck and Windsor from changing that it appeared as if Guelph was on a powerplay. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, Windsor goaltender Kristen Swiatoschik was in the opposing net stopping seemingly everything turned her way. Despite ultimately losing the game Swiatoschik stopped an incredible 70 of 73 shots faced in the game.
The third overtime period once again saw the Gryphons control the majority of play in the Lancer zone and outshoot the visiting team. Although Guelph came up with great scoring chances and Windsor saw a powerplay opportunity, the third overtime would come to an end with the two teams still tied. Appearing that this game may never end,
Tori Verbeek broke free down the wing after chipping the puck past a Lancer defender on her own blueline. After gaining control of the puck Verbeek found
Hannah Tait streaking down the right side. The Gryphon captain fired a wrist shot up and over the blocker-side shoulder of Swiatoschik sending the U of G women's hockey team and Gryphon faithful inattendance into a frenzy. The goal also punched the Gryphons ticket into the semifinal round where they will take on the U SPORTS No. 2-ranked Varsity Blues.
Game 1 of the Gryphons best-of-three series with U of T is set for Wednesday (Mar. 1) at Varsity Arena in Toronto, before a return to the Gryphon Centre for Game 2 (Date & Time TBD). If the series is tied after two, Game 3 will return to Varsity Arena on Sunday (Mar. 5). In Guelph's two game season series with the Varsity Blues they split games, earning a 1-0 victory in their first match (Nov. 12) before being narrowly defeated 3-2 (OT) later in the season (Feb. 1). Puck drop for the opening match of the series on Wednesday is set for 7pm. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action live online at www.oua.tv.
