Joe Rand scored two goals and added one assist as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s hockey team defeated the No. 10 Waterloo Warriors on Wednesday, February 11 at Varsity Arena.

With the win, the Blues clinch first place in the OUA mid-East division and earn an automatic bye in the first round of the playoffs.

Rand (Hamilton, Ont.) opened up the scoring a minute into the game on Toronto’s first powerplay opportunity, tapping the puck through the legs of Warriors goaltender Pier Pelletier (St-Louis-de-Ha!Ha!) off a Kyle Ventura (Scarborough, Ont.) rebound.

After a very physical first frame, the Warriors came out strong looking to tie things up. Second-year Blues goaltender Russ Brownell (Oakville, Ont.) stood on his head to keep his team on top, making 23 saves in the second period.

Rand added his second goal midway through the game as he skated down the wing and sent a beautiful wrist shot over Pelletier’s glove into the top corner of the net.

The Blues held a 2-0 lead after two periods of play.

Just over two minutes into the third period Toronto added another powerplay marker. Rand tipped a Brendan Sherrard (Toronto) point shot that hit Pelletier’s pad and Ventura buried the rebound to extend the lead to three.

Things were looking good for Toronto until Waterloo defenceman Kyle Soonenburg (Waterloo, Ont.) began to rally his troops.

Soonenburg was too much for the Blues to handle in front of the net and finally got the Warriors on the board when he poked a rebound through Brownell’s legs with less than nine minutes remaining.

Three minutes later, Soonenburg was again in the right place at the right time, picking up a loose puck in the high slot and sending it through traffic into the back of the Blues net.

Despite a late powerplay opportunity, Waterloo would not complete the comeback attempt and Toronto skated away with the 3-2 upset over the Warriors. 

Brownell made 50 saves and was named the Blues player of the game for his efforts.

The Varsity Blues return to action on Friday, February 13 as they take on the Ryerson Rams at George Bell Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

Game Notes: The Varsity Blues honoured four graduating athletes in a pre-game ceremony tonight: Steve Devine, Kyle Martiniuk, Alex Nagribianko and Joe Rand.