Women's Hockey: OUA Quarter-Finals (single-game elimination)

Guelph Gryphons (No. 2-seed in OUA West) vs Brock Badgers (No. 3-seed in OUA West)

Saturday, March 12, 2022 | 7:30 pm | Gryphon Centre Arena



 

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GUELPH, Ont. - The 2022 OUA women's hockey postseason has arrived, and the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team will officially begin their quest for another McCaw Cup on Saturday night (March 12) when they play host to the Brock Badgers in a single-elimination, OUA quarter-final matchup. The Gryphons women's hockey team has claimed seven OUA titles in program history (2018-19, 2016-17, 2015-16, 1997-98, 1994-95, 1973-74 & 1971-72), and have hoisted the McCaw Cup in three of the past four OUA seasons. The 2022 OUA women's hockey playoffs will look slightly different compared to previous years, with the league adopting a single-game-elimination format for the postseason, as opposed to a best-of-three series format leading up to the championship game which has been in place in recent history. Five-time OUA Coach of the Year, Rachel Flanagan, has full confidence in her squad's ability to adjust to the postseason challenge, "I feel good about the team being able to deliver under pressure, and that's what this game is all about."

In their return from the COVID-cancelled 2020-21 season, the Gryphons put together an outstanding 2021-22 campaign, posting a 10-2-1 record, highlighted by an 8-game winning streak. The Gryphons were able to navigate roster challenges and injuries throughout the season to claim 2nd-place in the OUA West Division standings. The Gryphons locked up the No. 2-seed back on March 3 following their 2-1 home victory over Laurier (capping an eight-game win streak). As a result of their top two finish in the division, the Gryphons earned an opening round bye in the OUA playoffs, and now have home ice for their win-or-go-home matchup with the Badgers on Saturday night. The Gryphons have impressed on home ice throughout the season, posting a 6-0-1 record in regular season games played at the Gryphon Centre this season. Of Guelph's six wins on home ice this season, four have come in overtime, and one in a shootout, something head coach Rachel Flanagan feels will only benefit the team with the single-game elimination format now upon them,  "One thing we know about our team is they can play under pressure."

Standing in Guelph's way in the 2022 OUA quarter-finals are the No. 3-seeded Brock Badgers, who posted a 7-5-4 record during the regular season. This marks the first postseason meeting between Guelph and Brock since the 2018-19 season, where the Gryphons were able to sweep the Badgers in their best-of-three OUA quarter-final series thankst to 5-0 and 1-0 victories. This season, the Gryphons have won all three of their head-to-head meetings with the Badgers, sweeping a home-and-home series with Brock in late November with a pair of 1-0 victories, followed by a 3-2 overtime win over Brock on March 1 in Guelph. 

Despite the shortened season, with the Gryphons reduced schedule seeing them play in just 13 regular season games, compared to a full 24-game regular season schedule in 2019-20, a young Gryphons squad showed tremendous growth and development over the course of the season. Leading the way for the Gryphons in 2021-22 has been the team's top line of Jaime Magoffin, Tori Verbeek, and Hannah Tait. The three forwards have found significant chemistry towards the end of the regular season, with Tait and Verbeek combining for a total of 8 points in their final two games played. Tait, a management economics and finance major from Exeter, Ontario, is currently in her third year of studies at the University of Guelph and second year of eligibilty, and leads the team in goals (4) and points (8) through the 13-game regular season. Verbeek, meanwhile, enters the playoffs fresh off of being named OUA Athlete of the Week following her four-point week (3 goals, 1 assist) in wins over Brock and Laurier. 

While the trio of Tait, Magoffin and Verbeek lead the Gryphon attack, the biggest key to success for the Gryphons in 2021-22 has been the team's play on the defensive end. The Gryphons finished the regular season with just 16 goals allowed in 13 games played, tying them with the No. 1-nationally ranked Toronto Varsity Blues for fewest goals allowed in 2021-22. In net, the Gryphons have received contributions from a trio of talented netminders throughout the course of the season. Newcomer Martina Fedel burst onto the OUA women's hockey scene in 2021-22, leading the league in goals against average with a 0.39 GAA. Fedel, an animal biology major from Trento, Italy, posted a 5-0-0 record in 5 games played, with her rookie season of OUA hockey beginning with four consecutive shutouts. Also having impressed in between the pipes this season for the Gryphons have been a pair of goalies currently in their third year of studies and second year of eligibility. Kathryn Raymond (Brampton, ON) and Alexandrea Davidson (Courtice, ON) each suited up in 4 games for the Gryphons this year, combining for a 5-3 record. Raymond stood strong under pressure to help secure her team some important victories, including earning the win in Guelph's 2021-22 season opener. Davidson turned away 84 of the 90 shots sent her way during the season and recorded a 30-save shutout versus the Windsor Lancers back on November 19, 2021. Each of the three talented goalies will be an option for head coach Rachel Flanagan come puck drop on Saturday night versus Brock. 

The winner of Saturday night's Guelph-Brock game will advance to the OUA semi-finals and face the winner of the Waterloo-Western matchup. Of the eight teams currently remaining in the OUA women's hockey playoffs, only the top two will earn a spot at nationals, with the McCaw Cup finalists booking a spot at the 2022 U SPORTS Women's Hockey Championships in P.E.I. March 24-27. Saturday night's playoff game between Guelph and Brock can be seen live online at OUA.tv. 
 

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Gryphon Quote (Captain, Lauren Ianni):

"This is the most exciting time of the season as the countdown towards nationals begins. As a team, we have bought into a champion mindset and have committed everything we have towards this team. We are all looking forward to some playoff hockey and want to show everyone the talent and depth we have. We have prepared all year for this and it's our time to take our game to the next level."