The Etobicoke Dolphins used a strong start and a balanced offensive attack to secure a 4-2 road victory over the Stoney Creek Sabres in U22 Elite action. The game's tone was set early when the Sabres' Charlee Love was sent off for body checking midway through the first period. The Dolphins' power play unit, featuring Fiona Waddick, Megan Mossey, and Skylar Ruschpler, capitalized swiftly. Waddick found the back of the net with help from Mossey and Ruschpler to tie the game at 1-1, erasing an early Sabres lead. That lead had come just seconds into the contest, as Stoney Creek's Alyssa Pescetti scored an even-strength goal off assists from Olivia Nelson and Hunter Burch, giving the home crowd a brief moment of excitement.
The second period belonged entirely to the visiting Dolphins, who showcased their depth. Adrianna Milani put Etobicoke ahead for good with an even-strength tally, assisted by Rachel Bishop and Sydney Bowness. Sofia Ismael then extended the lead, scoring unassisted to make it 3-1. The Sabres struggled to generate offense, being outshot 10-6 in the frame, and despite a power play chance of their own when Etobicoke's Haley Box was called for hooking, they couldn't cut into the deficit. Stoney Creek's penalty kill was tested again late in the period after a cross-checking call on Eva Ouellette, but they managed to escape to the intermission down by two.
The third period saw a late push from the Sabres. After a slashing penalty to Makenna Vinc, the Dolphins' Fiona Waddick took an elbowing penalty just 20 seconds later, giving Stoney Creek a crucial 5-on-3 advantage. The Sabres' power play, which had been quiet, finally connected as Charlee Love redeemed her earlier penalty by scoring, with Olivia Nelson picking up her second helper of the night. The goal cut the lead to 3-2 and injected life into the Sabres' bench with just over three minutes to play. However, any comeback hopes were dashed less than a minute later when Sofia Ismael struck again for Etobicoke, sealing her two-goal performance with an even-strength marker assisted by Adrianna Milani. The Dolphins' defense and goaltender Maija St-Pierre locked things down from there, as the Sabres managed only three third-period shots in the 4-2 final.
Mississauga Hurricanes #5875