It was a fairy tale ending to what was a regular season to remember for the women's hockey program on Saturday night at the CIF as the Warriors scored with just 2.1 seconds remaining in the game to tie it up at 3's before
Trisha Cho (Mississauga, ON/) scored in OT to give Waterloo their 13th win of the season and second straight victory over Brock.
"It was definitely a regular season to remember but the work isn't done yet," said head coach Shaun Regan. "We will take the next week to prepare mentally and physically for the OUA quarter-finals next Saturday."
Adding to the magical end of the Warriors' most successful season in program history, was an appearance by backup goalie
Loghan Hennes (Eatonia, SK/) following a slight tweak from starter
Mikayla Schnarr (Waterloo, ON/) who was pulled for precautionary reasons. Not only was it Senior Night for Hennes, it was her first ever regular season action following a relentless career with the Warriors. Hennes stopped 13 shots while her Warriors rallied behind her to ensure she picked up the win.
"It was so great to see Loghan step into the net and make some key saves. She has been such a workhorse for our team, always showing up ready to battle at practice and for her to get the win tonight was a moment to remember for this team," mentioned Reagan.
After a scoreless first period, Waterloo got the all important first goal that no doubt helped settle the nerves of Hennes.
Megan Fergusson (Kitchener, ON/) took a beautiful pass from
Brooklyn Cole (Kitchener, ON/) in the slot and went to her backhand to score the games opening goal on the penalty kill.
However, just 10 seconds later, Brock found the equalizer with Emma Irwin sliding one past Hennes.
With the score tied at 1's after 40, a wild third period would ensue with Waterloo taking a 2-1 advantage off the stick of Elizabeth Lernardon at 7:39 of the third. While it was looking like the Warriors would lock it down for Hennes the rest of the way Brock had other ideas scoring twice in in a span of 2:04 to take a 3-2 lead.
The Warriors had chance after chance but could not get one past Brock's keeper Tiffany Hsu, that was before Waterloo called a timeout on an offensive faceoff with one minute remaining and found the tying goal after a mad scramble.
Madison Pritchard (Richards Landing, ON/) pulled the loose puck out of a pile out front of Hsu and buried it blocker side to tie the game at 3's.
In the overtime period,
Trisha Cho (Mississauga, ON/) fired a harmless looking shot on net that eluded Hsu and looked to have crossed the line on first glance but the puck came right back out to Cho who made no mistake on the second attempt to send the Warriors bench into a frenzy.
"It was such an awesome moment for our team, not only getting a big win and keeping our momentum into the playoffs but seeing the girls realize how meaningful this win was for Loghan," commented Reagan.
The win was Waterloo's 13th of the season with the standings reading 11-2-11 as two wins came in the extra period.
Waterloo will now await their OUA quarter-final opponent who will be the winner of the 5-4 game between Western and Windsor. The game is set for Saturday, March 12 at 2:30pm.
