Byron Elliott and Kyle Ventura combined for six points as the Varsity Blues men’s hockey team defeated the Ryerson Rams 5-2 on Friday night (Jan. 21) at Varsity Arena.

With the win, the Blues improve to 7-8-6 and are just one point shy of fifth place in the OUA East division.

Toronto jumped out to an early lead 21 seconds into the game when Elliott of Burlington, Ont., tipped a gorgeous pass from the half boards by Ventura.

Ryerson tied the game a few minutes later when Greg Payne of Thornhill, Ont., capitalized on the power play.

The Blues took the lead on the powerplay on a terrific individual effort as rookie forward Blake Boddy of Ajax, Ont., carried the puck in the from the blue line, deked around two Ryerson defenders and fired a shot through the legs of Ryerson goaltender Kori Coelho (Toronto)

Ryerson would tie the game seven minutes into the second period when Jason McDonough tipped Frank Carbonaro shot from just inside the blue line to beat Blues goaltender Andrew Martin.

U of T went on to restore their lead on the power play again, as Elliott controlled the puck behind the Ryerson net and found team captain Andrew Kizito streaking in from the blue line who deposited a wrist shot high to the glove side, just inside the post.

The Blues held a 3-2 heading into the third period.

Toronto found themselves down two men just 29 seconds into the third, but were able to kill off the powerplay due some timely saves by Martin.

The home team took a 4-2 lead at the 7:47 mark of the third when Bryden Teich finished a nice pass from behind the net by Mike Markovic in the top corner. The Blues put the game away four minutes later when Ventura was left all alone in front of the net and easily put in a rebound off a solid rush by Elliott down the right wing.

Martin made 29 saves in the win.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice next Friday, January 28 when they again host the Ryerson Rams at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

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