The Ridley Tigers came out flying in the first period, dictating the pace and outshooting the Ottawa 67s by a 10-5 margin. Their pressure paid off early when Jeevin Khehra, assisted by Morgan Nodding and Julyana Farray, found the back of the net just over seven minutes into the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Tigers' aggressive play also led to a pair of first-period penalties, but the 67s' power play couldn't solve goaltender Grier Cooper, who turned aside all 15 shots she faced through two periods. The middle frame saw the game tighten up, with Ottawa beginning to tilt the ice and outshoot Ridley 10-4, but they still couldn't crack Cooper's resolve, and the Tigers carried their slim lead into the final period.
The third period, however, belonged entirely to the Ottawa 67s in a stunning offensive explosion. Just 26 seconds into the final frame, Ella Robertson finally broke through for the home side, assisted by Norah Nyaba, to tie the game at 1-1 and shift all momentum. Less than two minutes later, Polly Almstedt, with an assist from an unlisted player, buried the game-winner to send the home crowd into a frenzy. The 67s' relentless attack continued as Anna Rossner, set up by Robertson and Nyaba, extended the lead to 3-1 midway through the period. Norah Nyaba would cap off the dominant period with a goal of her own in the final minutes, assisted by Vanessa Sciampacone, to seal a 4-1 comeback victory. Ottawa's third-period surge saw them outshoot Ridley 10-8 and score four unanswered goals.
While the goalie statistics were not officially tracked, the story of the crease was clear. Ridley's Grier Cooper was heroic for over 40 minutes, making 21 saves on 25 shots to keep her team in it, but was ultimately overwhelmed by Ottawa's late barrage. For the 67s, Ava Lund-Fouquette was a steadying presence, allowing only the early first-period goal and shutting the door the rest of the way as her team mounted its comeback. The win was a testament to Ottawa's resilience, as they weathered an early storm and capitalized on their chances in the third, with Ella Robertson, Norah Nyaba, and Polly Almstedt leading the offensive charge to secure two crucial points.
Mississauga Hurricanes #5875