The Waterloo Ravens secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Central York Panthers in a game that saw momentum swing with each period. The Panthers struck first on home ice, as Audrey Martone found the back of the net midway through the opening frame, assisted by Keira Johnson. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Ravens responded with a quick one-two punch. Madelyn Davies tied the game just under two minutes later, set up by Allison Gauley, before Alexa Tout gave Waterloo a 2-1 lead before the first intermission, with Maya Slot and Isla McCoubrey earning the helpers. The Ravens' Margaret Wathke took an early cross-checking penalty, but the Panthers couldn't capitalize on the power play.
The middle period belonged to the Ravens, who extended their lead when Madelyn Davies netted her second of the night, a crucial goal assisted by Emma McCoubrey. Waterloo's discipline wavered with three minor penalties in the frame—slashing to Olivia Weiss, tripping to Kylie Rayfield, and a second body checking call to Margaret Wathke—but the Panthers' power play units were repeatedly stymied by Ravens goaltender Teagan Mason. Despite outshooting Waterloo 11-12 in the period, Central York couldn't solve Mason, who turned in a stellar performance.
Entering the third period down by two, the Panthers pushed hard, outshooting the Ravens 13-12. Their persistence paid off when Rachel Talesnik scored to cut the deficit to one, with Audrey Martone and Ellie Lewington picking up assists. The Panthers' push was hampered by late penalties of their own, as Zoe Ordanis and Briar Deckers took hooking minors. A final hooking penalty to Waterloo's Lauren Gustafson in the dying minutes gave Central York a late power play chance, but they couldn't find the equalizer. Teagan Mason was the story for Waterloo, turning aside all 31 shots she faced for a shutout-caliber win, while Jamie Sanford made 8 saves in the Panthers' net. The Ravens' defense and Mason's perfect goaltending were the difference in a narrow, tense road victory.
Mississauga Hurricanes #5875