Despite a huge comeback attempt, the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team came out on top, thanks to a late goal by fourth-year forward Dan Brewer, and defeated the RMC Paladins 5-4 on Saturday night (Jan. 15) at Varsity Arena.

The win marks Toronto’s first regular season victory since Nov. 27, as the Blues improve to 6-8-6 and remain in eighth place. RMC drops to 2-18-1 and are in last place in the OUA East division.

After Toronto built a 3-0 lead after the first period of play, the Paladins charged back, scoring three second-period goals and adding a tying marker 26 seconds into the third period. Fortunately for the Blues, Brewer put an end to the impeding comeback with a beautiful goal, hammering in an Andrew Kizito rebound 7:30 into the third period.

Scarborough, Ont., native Kyle Ventura opened the scoring six minutes into the contest, skating over the blue line and wiring a shot low glove side to beat RMC goaltender Andrew Flemming.

Less than a minute later, Bryden Teich made an end-to-end rush and fed linemate Michael Markovic the puck, who calmly slid it five-hole into the net. Dylan O’Neil would capitalize on a Zack Fenwick rebound later in the period to give the Blues a solid three-goal lead heading into the second period.

RMC came out flying in the second period and scored two powerplay markers in the first five minutes of the frame. Sudbury, Ont., native Justin Lacey was the first to strike, one-timing a centering pass from Landon Lavictoire past rookie goaltender Garrett Sheehan (Cremona, Alta.

Just over four minutes later, Lacey would return the favour, feeding Alexandre LeClerc a puck infront of the net for RMC’s second goal of the game.

Ventura would net his second of the game less than two minutes later with a quick-release shot off a pass from Byron Elliott. Lacey added his third point of the night towards the end of the period, sending a long shot through traffic to beat Sheehan in the top corner of the net. Toronto held a 4-3 lead heading into the final frame.

Braden Casper tapped in a Lavictoire rebound 26 seconds into the third to even the score; however, Brewer’s heroics would prove to be all the Blues would need to pull off the win.

Ventura was named the Varsity Blues player of the game for his two-goal performance on the night.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice this Wednesday,January 19 when they host the Nipissing Lakers at Varsity Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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