Box Score Ryan Medel earned his first win as head coach as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the Waterloo Warriors 3-1 in their 2017-18 season opener on Friday night (Oct. 13) at Columbia Ice Field.
 
First-year forward Hunter Atchison scored his first two career goals in the third period, including the game-winner, to secure the win for the Blues.

WATCH both Hunter @atchison77 goals, including the game-winner, in tonight's 3-1 season-opening win at Waterloo! @OUAsport @USPORTSca pic.twitter.com/Vq6dCCCcfN

— U of T Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) October 14, 2017

 
Fellow rookie forward Luca Leone also notched his first goal in the Blue and White, while first-year netminder Frederic Foulem made 31 saves in his first career start and win.
 
The Blues came out ready to go, outshooting the Warriors 16-4 in the first period. Leone opened the scoring 12 minutes into the contest and Toronto carried that 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
Waterloo turned the tide to start the second frame, outshooting the Blues 7-0 in the early goings. The Blues almost took a two-goal lead as Aidan Wallace came out of the penalty box to a breakaway puck, but he rang his shot off the post.
 
The Warriors returned the favour just minutes later as Cam Nicoll hit Toronto's post. A scoreless second period ended with two Blues in the box, setting up a 5-on-3 for Waterloo for 1:46 to open the third frame.
 
The Warriors capitalized on the two man advantage as Markson Bechtold evened the score just 55 seconds into the period.
 
However, Atchison regained Toronto's lead less than five minutes later with a quick move behind the net to beat the Waterloo goaltender on a wrap-around. He then added an insurance marker with 6:33 remaining in the game, picking off a Warriors pass and going five-hole on the partial breakaway to secure the Blues first win of 2017-18.
 
The Varsity Blues return to action next Friday, October 20 as they host the Queen's Gaels in their 2017-18 home opener at Varsity Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Advanced tickets are on sale here.

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