The Nepean Wildcats escaped with a narrow 3-2 victory over the Bluewater Hawks in a U22 Elite contest that grew increasingly tense and physical as the night wore on. The game opened with a quick exchange, as the Hawks' Charlotte Richardson, assisted by Olivia Minten, opened the scoring just under ten minutes into the first period. The Wildcats responded in the final minute, however, with Mallea McMullin finishing off a play set up by Breanna Bray and Isabella Donaldson to send the teams to the intermission tied 1-1. The second period was a parade to the penalty box, with seven minors called, but the Hawks managed to break through at even strength as Mathilda Moorehouse, with a helper from Danielle Harmer, restored the Bluewater lead heading into the final frame.
The third period, however, descended into chaos and proved decisive. A parade of head contact calls and major penalties swung the momentum. The Wildcats capitalized on a power play early in the period, with Jordan Mulvihill finding the net, assisted by Nuala Gibbs, to tie the game at 2-2. The game then took a dramatic turn with a sequence of major penalties, including a head contact major and game misconduct to the Hawks' Payton Biser and a checking from behind minor and game misconduct to the Wildcats' Carly O'Connor. Amidst the special teams chaos, Jordan Mulvihill struck again for Nepean, this time shorthanded, to net the game-winning goal with just over four minutes remaining. The Hawks pressed late, outshooting the Wildcats 14-6 in the period, but could not find the equalizer.
The story of the game was written on the scoresheet and the penalty log. Jordan Mulvihill was the offensive hero for Nepean with two crucial goals, including the shorthanded game-winner. For the Hawks, the physical play proved costly, with Mya Thorne taking two head contact minors and Payton Biser receiving a major and a suspension. Despite a strong 36-33 shot advantage, Bluewater's discipline faltered at critical moments, allowing the Wildcats to steal a road victory in a game that featured a staggering 19 penalties and two player suspensions.
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