By Gabi Grande
A blizzard of white clothing transformed the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) from its usual industrial feel to a winter wonderland. In this year’s winter homecoming (WOCO) game, fans were urged to dress in all white—creating a “white out” effect in the stands.
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold student body lined up in Kerr Hall Quad at 11 a.m. Friday morning for a chance to get a coveted wristband. “No wristband, no entry” read the TMU Bold Instagram, promoting the anticipated game.
Spirits were high for the second of two match-ups this season between TMU and the Carleton Ravens. Last week, the Bold squeaked by with a 4-2 win against their provincial rivals.
The crowd was well equipped to cheer, with each fan getting a custom TMU Bold towel to wave around. Some even brought their own blow horns, providing an unmistakable bass to the sound of the crowd’s cheers.
If the Bold won the game and swept the series, they would match their win record from last season in ten less games.
Nevertheless, with a lacklustre start and not enough gas in the tank, TMU fell to the Ravens 4-0.
“It [was] a slow start for us and honestly, the first period cost us the game,” said head coach Lisa Haley. “Maybe we were too hyped up about having everybody here and less dialed in on what it takes to execute to beat Carleton back-to-back.”
First-year Ravens forward Vicky Kay opened the scoring with a beautiful tip off a blue line shot from third-year forward Abigail Byrne, leaving no chance for third-year TMU netminder Alexia Stratos.
Eight minutes later, second-year Bold defender Jayden Fox was penalized for tripping, giving Carleton the chance to capitalize on the player advantage. In a netfront scrum, fifth-year forward and Ravens’ team captain Justina Baird tapped in her second goal of the season.
From that moment, the Bold’s team morale was lost and the Ravens were like sharks in the water.
Just over a minute after their second goal of the game, third-year Carleton forward Aiofe Mahaffy buried her first goal of the season in an impressive unassisted snapshot.
The first frame saw the Bold allow three goals on seven shots, and an immediate time out to regroup team morale.
“We just weren’t ready for their pace and physicality, and we should’ve been,” said Haley. “I think we were more focused on playing in front of the crowd and giving them something to cheer about.”
With the team down in spirit and on the scoreboard, the first intermission saw the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) bring some much needed energy to the MAC’s somber atmosphere.
In true Canadian fashion, the first 100 spectators received free poutine. Amidst fork fulls of fries, cheese curds and gravy, the loudest fans in each section also earned a free TMU hoodie. TMU’s official mascot, Frankie B. Bold, took pictures with fans and tried to boost the crowd’s mood.
Nevertheless, complimentary food and prizes weren’t enough to combat the negative energy in the MAC. On the ice, the Bold couldn’t get anything going.
The second period began with a strong play by first-year Bold defender Dayle Chinnick to break up a one-on-one in the Bold defensive zone with an active stick. However, after play moved both ways, the Bold got caught at the blue line and were put on their heels.
Carleton pounced on each mistake and eventually netted their fourth goal on ten shots. First-year Ravens forward Shae Laprade one-timed a well-placed puck off a pass from Baird for her fourth goal of the season.
“What we were hoping to do out of the gate is exactly not what happened to us,” said Haley. “We were excited to play in front of a larger crowd and I feel like we let ourselves down.”
The WOCO crowd was a larger turnout than the Bold women’s hockey teams’ typical games, but compared to the men’s homecoming game last fall, the TMU student body were noticeably absent.
In a 2,600 seat arena, only 400 were occupied, according to the official Ontario University Athletics (OUA) website, good enough for just a 15 per cent turnout. The men’s homecoming game, however, saw a 100 per cent attendance rate.
The WOCO game was the first homecoming game for women’s hockey—and women’s sports—in two and a half years. For players, it marked a special occasion.
“WOCO and everything like that for women’s hockey is great, I think it needs to happen more with all women’s sports—not just hockey specifically,” said second-year Bold forward Eden Dusome. “Atmospheres like this just bring so much energy.”
Energy is what the Bold needed if they wanted any chance of a comeback in the third period. The final frame was their strongest with Stratos playing on her head.
TMU’s netminder sprawled out for several show-stopping saves, ensuring her toe would catch just an inch of the puck to keep her team in action.
A last burst of energy from the Bold wasn’t enough, however, as they were shut out completely on 27 shots.
“I felt like maybe if we got on the board early, then maybe [the outcome would be] different,” said Haley. “We didn’t have an answer in the first period.
UP NEXT: The Bold are back in action against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Jan. 18. Puck-drop is set for 6:15 p.m. at the MAC.
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