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Fifth-year forward Michael Markovic notched three goals and one assist in leading the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team to an 8-3 win over the Guelph Gryphons in Game 1 of their OUA West semifinal series, Wednesday night (Feb. 18) at Varsity Arena.

Both second-year forward Casey Knight and veteran Jeff Brown notched two goals, while defenceman Corey Jackson had three assists in the win.

"When you have home ice advantage you have to take advantage of it, and we did tonight," said Markovic. "Fortunately, all four lines were going and we had some production from everybody. It was a huge part of our success tonight."

The Varsity Blues opened the scoring just 1:11 into the game when Dean Klomp cut into the front of the net and backhanded the puck between Guelph goalie Andrew D'Agostini's legs.

Guelph evened the score just over four minutes later, while on a powerplay, when Nicklas Huard came down the left side of the ice and wired a shot into the top corner of the net.

Toronto regained the lead when Knight buried a Kevin Deagle rebound midway through the frame and  Markovic tallied his first of the night, finishing off some fine work from Paul Van De Velde minutes later. That powerplay marker gave U of T a 3-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

Guelph forward Carlos Amestoy brought the game within one 9:23 into the second period, but Markovic notched his second powerplay goal of the game two minutes later, one-timing a Russell Turner pass. The Blues were up 4-2 heading into the final frame.

U of T added some insurance seven minutes into the third when Patrick Marsh flew down the side of the ice and fed Jeff Brown in front of the net for the one-timer. Brown netted his second, and third Blues goal with the man advantage, just minutes later wiring a shot past D'Agostini.

Gryphons forward Robert De Fulviis added a Guelph powerplay goal with 7:11 remaining, but Markovic completed the hat trick four minutes later and Knight notched his second of the game with  just 1:46 remaining to round out the scoring.

Fourth-year netminder Brett Willows made 37 saves in the win.

The Varsity Blues head to Guelph for Game 2 this Saturday, February 21. Game time is 2 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is back at Varsity Arena on Sunday night (Feb. 22) at 7:30 p.m. 

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