The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Brampton Beast of the ECHL in exhibition action on Wednesday night (Oct. 4) at Varsity Arena.

The Blues opened the scoring on the powerplay with a great set up from third-year forward Matt Campagna to linemate Aidan Wallace.

Keeping their momentum going in the first period, Connor Graham fed a nifty behind the net pass to Ryan Kirkup, who buried it past the Beast goalie Andrew D'Agostini, to give the Blues an early two-goal lead. 

However, Brampton's Mark Bennett scored halfway through the first period to get his team on the board.

In the latter half of the second frame, the Beast scored two goals within a minute of each other to take a 3-2 lead. The goal scorers were Alex Vazquez and Macoy Erkamps, respectively. 

But the Blues capitalized on another powerplay with some great passing from Campagna and rookie Scott Kirton that ended with the puck on Wallace's stick, who then finished it to tie up the game. 

With just seven minutes left in the third period, Varsity Blues rookie Louis Kereakou intercepted a Brampton pass and took a shot, with Max Lindsay capitalizing on the rebound to put the Blues up 4-3.

However, with just 30 seconds left in the third period, Brampton defenceman Cody Donaghey scored to tie up it up and bring the game into overtime. 

OT solved nothing with the Brampton Beasts prevailing. 

Blues netminder Andrew Hunt posted 15 saves in the loss, while Michael Nishi ended the night with 13 saves. 

The Blues are back in action this Saturday, October 7 as they travel to East Landing, Michigan to take on the Michigan State Spartans. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.

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