A trip to Sault Ste. Marie proved to be exactly what the Marauder offence needed, as McMaster exploded for 19 goals in a pair of wins against the Algoma Thunderbirds.

Taking six points from contests on Saturday and Sunday, McMaster clinched the sixth and final playoff spot in the OUA West, and will next travel to Toronto for a first round match against the York Lions on Wednesday.

The Marauders began their weekend with a 7-0 shutout of the Thunderbirds, as the trio of Taylor Lambert, Maureen Mai and Kelsey Orlando each had a pair of goals, while Brittany Duffey faced just two shots en route to a clean sheet.

Lambert and Mai added two more goals to their weekend tally on Sunday, and rookie Robynn McGroarty had a hat trick, as McMaster put 12 shots past Algoma goalkeeper Lauren Moore. Amanda Jones, Sarah Fettah, Noor Sakran and Sophia Ykema also scored as Moore found herself besieged on Sunday and faced 23 shots on goal.

Duffey made four saves in the Sunday win, but narrowly missed out on a second clean sheet when she conceded Algoma's lone goal to Taylor Bellini in the 40th minute.

The Marauders will have to refocus quickly, as they size up an elimination game against the Lions. York won the season series between these two teams in 2014, winning their match in Toronto and drawing at Ron Joyce Stadium earlier this month.