This article first appeared on RyersonRams.ca on Jan. 11, 2014
TORONTO – The Ryerson Rams women’s hockey team fell 2-0 to the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens.
After a scoreless first period that featured a fast tempo, Toronto’s (12-4-1) Jacqueline Scheffel redirected a shot from the point by Sonja Weidenfelder on the powerplay to make it 1-0 just six minutes into the second frame.
After three two-on-one opportunities for Ryerson (5-12-0), it was Nicole Kesteris who absolutely shut the door on any offensive opportunities for the Rams throughout the second period and the entire game. Kesteris made 23 saves and earned her OUA leading fifth shutout of the season, which drew high praise from Ryerson interim head coach Pierre Alain post-game.
“She’s (Kesteris) is one of the best if not the best in the league, she’s tough to beat and we still have to work,” said Alain.
Weidenfelder would add an empty net goal to seal the victory.
Despite the good chances, putting the puck in the back of the net has proven to be a struggle for the Rams in 2014, as they have failed to score through their first two games of the new year.
Generating offence is something that Alain hopes to continue to improve on.
“We still have to work on it but yes we have to shoot under pressure, work down low, shoot from the blue line, screen the goalie.”
Alain feels as though with the close matchup tonight against No. 10 Toronto, that his team is back on track. One of the bright spots for his team on Saturday was the outstanding play of rookie goaltender Alex Armstrong (Toronto), who made 27 saves in the loss. It was Armstrong’s first start since Nov. 10, 2013 against the Queen’s Gaels.
With only seven games left in the regular season, Ryerson still sits five points out of a playoff position. They next take the ice on Jan. 17 when they travel to Waterloo, Ont. to face the No. 2 Laurier Golden Hawks at 7:30 p.m.