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The University of Toronto Varsity Blues dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to the No. 6 nationally ranked UQTR Patriotes on Saturday, November 30 at Varsity Arena.

The loss drops the Blues record to 9-5-2 as they fall out of a three-way tie for first in the OUA's West division and into a tie for third with the Ryerson Rams.

Third-year forward Tyler Liukkonen (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.) had the Blues lone goal of the contest, with team captain and Blake Boddy (Scarborough), and Winnipeg native Connor Cleverly registering the assists. Netminder Brett Willows (Rivers, Man.) was solid despite the loss, making 24 saves on the evening and keeping his team in the game.

The Blues opened the scoring midway through the first period when Boddy sent an aerial pass over the heads of two Patriotes defenders and right on the tape of a streaking Liukkonen. Liukkonen broke in alone on goal, and made a nifty forehand-to-backhand move before depositing the puck behind UQTR goaltender Guillaume Nadeau.

The Blues would hang onto a one goal lead through the end of the first, but just one minute into the second period Tommy Tremblay spun around and fired a shot from a bad angle that found a way through Willows to knot the score at one apiece.

The Blues special teams struggled all night long, as they failed to capitalize on five powerplay opportunities. Paul Van de Velde (Mariapolis, Man.) had one of Toronto's better chances in the third, but rang his shot off the near post.

Despite a great effort by Willows in turning away several glorious Patriotes chances, U of T's powerplay would eventually be their undoing late in the game.

With the score still tied with just minutes remaining, the Blues went to the man advantage after Olivier D'Aoust was called for tripping. Tyler von Engelbrechten had two excellent chances to give the Blues the lead, but after Nadeau denied him, Tremblay grabbed the puck and raced up the ice shorthanded. The diminutive forward cut to the middle and fired a rocket that sailed just over Willows pad and gave UQTR the 2-1 lead with just over a minute left in regulation.

The Blues called Willows to the bench for the extra attacker, but UQTR would ultimately hang on for the 2-1 victory.

Tommy Tremblay had two goals, while Guillaume Nadeau made 22 saves as the Patriotes improved their season record to 11-4-0.

The Blues will return to action Friday January 3, when they travel to Lakehead University to take on the Thunderwolves. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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