Forchielli’s four-point night leads UOIT to victory
A four-point night from UOIT’s Sam Forchielli helped lift the Ridgebacks from a five game losing slump with a victory over the Windsor Lancers. (Photo by Al Fournier).
For UOIT’s Sam Forchielli, Saturday night was a big one for her career.
The left-winger had a career-high four-point night to lead the UOIT women’s hockey team to a 5-3 victory over the Windsor Lancers at the Campus Ice Centre.
The Ridgebacks would score four goals in the final 20 minutes to secure their first victory in five games. The four-goal period matched UOIT’s entire offensive output during their four-game losing streak.
The Ridgebacks celebrate their 5-3 victory over the Windsor Lancers this past weekend. (Photo by Al Fournier).
The game-winning goal came off the stick of UOIT defender Natasha Tymcio on the power play early in the final frame. Earlier on the same power play, Windsor cut the lead to just one by scoring a shorthanded goal.
Thirty seconds later, Forchielli would cap off her four-point night with a breakaway goal, faking a slap shot and beating goaltender Marissa Kozovski with a backhanded shot on the blocker side.
Forchielli would set up the Ridgebacks’ first three goals of the game, with Jenna Carter, Shanelle Doucette and Kassidy Nauboris each lighting the lamp. Doucette’s goal was also the first in her OUA career.
Netminder Cassie Charette made 30 stops for her first win of the season.
Along with the win, it seems UOIT’s special teams may finally be coming to life. After starting the season 0-for-81 with the one-player advantage, UOIT has scored four power play goals in the past two games.
With the win, UOIT earns three big points in the standings as they move back into playoff contention. The Ridgebacks (3-1-7-0) trail the Laurentian Voyageurs (3-2-4-1) by three points for eighth place in the conference standings.
Up next for UOIT will be a road game on Friday as they take on the York Lions (2-1-5-1), who sit two points behind the Ridgebacks with two games in hand.