The Queen’s Gaels scored three third-period goals to spark a come-from-behind 5-4 overtime victory over the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team on Friday, January 14 at Varsity Arena.

With the loss, the Blues drop to 5-9-5 and remain in eighth place, while the Gaels improve to 8-10-2 and sit in seventh in the OUA East division.

Welland, Ont., native Payton Liske scored two goals and added one assist, while and Jonathan Lawrance of Steinbach, Man., netted the overtime winner. Gaels goaltender Steele De Fazio if Georgetown, Ont., made 34 saves in the win.

Toronto’s Dan Brewer was named the Varsity Blues player of the game for his one-goal, one-assist performance on the night. Goaltender Andrew Martin of Mississauga, Ont., posted 32 saves in the losing cause.

Rookie forward and Blues leading scorer Anthony Bergin of Scarborough, Ont., opened the scoring 12 minutes into the contest when he sent a shot from the right side of the ice to beat De Fazio and give the home team a 1-0 lead after the first period of play.

Toronto went up 2-0 when Toronto native David Mooney received a pass from Byron Elliott (Burlington, Ont.) and wired a shot into the top corner of the net. Toronto held onto that 2-0 advantage heading into the third.

The Blues would strike first in the third period, with a marker off the stick of Brewer; However, the Gaels responded with three unanswered goals in just over three minutes to get back into the game and take the lead.

Jordan Mirwaldt struck first, receiving the puck in the slot and firing a quick shot on net to get the visiting squad on the board. One minute later, Liske took advantage of a quick face-off play to beat Martin and even the score before Alexi Pianosi of Halifax got the go-ahead goal on a powerplay opportunity to gain Queen’s first lead of the game.

Tempers flared in what proved to be a physical affair. With a full penalty box, the Blues were able to tie things up on the man advantage with just over six minutes remaining when first-year forward Blake Boddy of Ajax, Ont., skated down the left wing and ripped a shot past a sprawling De Fazio to force overtime.

The Blues held the play for the majority of the overtime period, keeping the puck deep in Gaels territory; However, Lawrance would capitalize on a turnover just inside the Toronto zone and sent a booming shot into the top corner of the net to seal the 5-4 win.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice tomorrow night when they host the RMC Paladins at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

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