The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team opened the second half of the regular season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Queen’s Gaels on Friday, January 7 at Kingston Memorial Centre.

With the loss, the Blues are now 5-8-4 and remain in eighth place, while Queen’s improves to 7-8-2 and sit two points ahead in seventh in the OUA East division.

Second-year Gaels forward Payton Liske of Welland, Ont., was the lone goal-scorer in the shoot out. Toronto’s rookie forwards Blake Boddy and Anthony Bergin, as well as Burlington, Ont., native Byron Elliott were all denied by Gaels goaltender David Aime.

The Blues outshot the Gaels 36-32 on the night and both teams went 2-for-3 on the powerplay.

Toronto opened the scoring on their first powerplay opportunity with a goal off the stick of Matt Walters (Winnipeg) and carried a 1-0 lead into the second period.

Similarly, Liske notched his first goal of the game on the Gaels first powerplay chance in the second frame. Toronto responded with two goals; a powerplay marker from veteran forward and Cambridge, Ont., native Dan Brewer and an even strength goal by Boddy (Ajax, Ont.) midway through the game.

Queen’s brought the contest within one with just over a minute remaining on another man advantage and quickly evened the score in the first three minutes of the third period.

Overtime would solve nothing, with each team recording three shots on goal.

The Varsity Blues return to the ice tomorrow night as they conclude their road trip in Kingston with a game versus the RMC Paladins. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

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