TORONTO — The University of Toronto Varsity Blues have demonstrated resilience this season, turning challenges into triumphs and showcasing their indomitable spirit.
The season began with unforeseen injuries, personal struggles and disappointments, but the group rose to the occasion when it mattered most and now have a chance to win their second consecutive OUA title when they face off against the Waterloo Warriors in the McCaw Cup on Saturday.
“We’ve been through so much adversity since the beginning of September,” said Toronto head coach Vicky Sunohara. “I started off with a broken foot, I didn’t get on the ice until the end of October, we had a new assistant coach who had to take everything and run practices on a daily basis, and she was employed part time.”
It’s frustrating for players to watch the game unfold without being able to actively contribute on the ice due to injury, but the lack of direct control over the game is particularly challenging for coaches.
“Not being able to talk to people after a drill is frustrating sometimes,” Sunohara said. “But our team has been resilient all year, and that’s who we are.”
The Varsity Blues have proved their mettle in the post-season, dropping the opening game of their best-of-three series against Queen’s in the quarter-final and needing a dramatic double overtime victory in Game 2 to save their season before winning the deciding contest 6-1. In the semi-finals, the Blues once again dropped their opening game, this time against a Guelph team ranked No. 3 in the country, before rallying to win the series on the road in hostile territory.
“Just like always, being resilient, like we use the term emotional intelligence and just staying true to that, but also just like playing blue-collar hockey and really bringing out the Blues hockey,” said goaltender Erica Fryer, who turned aside 79 of 80 shots in three games against Guelph. “And that’s playing defensively, backchecking and making sure that nothing gets through to me.”
The only thing standing between the Blues and their second straight OUA title is a winner take all contest at home against a strong Waterloo team that went 9-3-0-2 this season, with two of those losses coming against Toronto. Coach Sunohara believes the Blues are prepared for the challenge and have the mentality required to cope with the pressure of a championship game.
“You have butterflies, get nervous, but there are things to be more worried about,” she said. “Win or lose, it’s a game. Let’s play without fear. When you see the sunshine, be happy.”