The Cambridge Rivulettes set the tone early and never looked back, securing a decisive 4-1 victory over the Toronto Leaside Wildcats in U22 Elite action. The home team came out flying, outshooting the Wildcats 11-6 in the opening frame and breaking through midway through the period. Defender Reese Reid, wearing number 4, opened the scoring with an even-strength marker, assisted by Emersyn Miller and Rachael Burt. The Wildcats responded on the power play late in the period, as Jacqueline Kean converted a setup from Avery Mann and Leila Sinclair to knot the game at 1-1. However, that would be the only blemish on a perfect night for Rivulettes netminder Addison Mitchell, who turned aside every other shot she faced to anchor the win.
Cambridge reclaimed control for good in a dominant second period. Just past the halfway mark, Kendra Restauri put the Rivulettes ahead for good with an even-strength goal, set up by Ella Neil and Quinn Carswell. The momentum continued just 26 seconds later, as Ella Neil herself found the back of the net, with assists going to Lacey Rivers and the ever-involved Reese Reid, pushing the lead to 3-1. The Rivulettes' defensive discipline was tested, as they took three minor penalties in the middle frame, but their penalty kill and Mitchell in net stood tall to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into the final period.
The third period saw the Rivulettes effectively shut the door. Rachael Burt, who had an assist on the first goal, capped off a strong personal performance by scoring an insurance goal midway through the period, with helpers from Olivia Carriere and Maryn Broderick. The Wildcats' frustrations began to show, culminating in a major penalty to Avery Mann for unsportsmanlike conduct late in the game, effectively ending any chance of a comeback. While the Wildcats pushed in the final minutes, outshooting Cambridge 9-7 in the period, they could not solve Addison Mitchell again. The Rivulettes' balanced attack, with goals from three different lines and a rock-solid performance from their goalie, proved too much for Toronto to handle on this night.
Mississauga Hurricanes #5875