Six different players scored as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team opened the second half of the 2019-20 regular season with a 6-3 victory over the York Lions on Friday night (Jan. 3) at Canlan Ice Sports.

With the win, the Blues improve to 15-2-0 and remain atop the OUA West standings. It also marks the first time since the 1973-74 season that the Blues have won 13 straight regular season games.

HOW IT HAPPENED: OUA leading scorer David Thomson opened the scoring less than four minutes into the contest as he finished off a nice 2-on-1 with Joey Manchurek with a one-timer into the top of the net. The Blues were up 1-0 at the first intermission.

U of T scored back-to-back powerplay goals towards the end of the second frame. First, team captain Willy Paul sent a booming shot from the point through traffic and into the top corner of the net. Two minutes later, fellow veteran defenceman Evan MacEachern wired a shot over the glove of York netminder Mack Shields. However, the Lions added two quick goals to bring the game back within one after 40 minutes of action.

The Blues extended their lead midway through the final period as Curtis Harvey kept the puck on a 2-on-1 and roofed it. Shortly after, Kyle Potts buried a loose puck in the high slot to put the Blues up 5-2. The Lions pulled Shields with plenty of time and found the back of the net on a 6-on-4 chance, but Nathan Hudgin responded with an empty-netter to round out the win.

Second-year netminder Alex Bishop made 22 saves, including 12 in the third period, to earn the win in net. 

UP NEXT: The Blues are back in action tomorrow night when they host the Brock Badgers in U of T's Under Armour Game of the Week at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

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