Third-year forward Scott Kirton notched his first career hat trick in leading the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team to a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-three OUA Round 1 series with the Western Mustangs on Wednesday night (Feb. 12) at Varsity Arena.
 
Kirton scored the eventual game-winner, his second goal of the game, when he was hauled down on a partial breakaway and awarded a penalty shot. The Scarborough, Ont., native made no mistake, making a nice move and beating Mustangs netminder Lucas Peressini over his blocker and into the top corner of the net.
 
"I actually didn't know I had the call, because I wasn't looking at the ref, until Justin Brand looked at me and said 'you have a penalty shot!' so I didn't have much time to think about it," said Kirton. "I skated in and I've done it before so you just kind of do what you know and see what happens."
 
GAME FLOW: Kirton opened the scoring late in the first period, banging in a Justin Brand rebound to give the home team a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of action.
 
The Mustangs evened the score midway through the second as Anthony Stefano fed a nice pass to Kenny Huether who found the mesh.  
 
Toronto regained the lead five minutes later though, as second-year forward Chase Olsen buried a Riley Bruce rebound. Kirton's penalty shot heroics gave the Blues a 3-1 lead at the second intermission.
 
Joey Manchurek extended the Blues lead on a powerplay off a nice feed from Nathan Hudgin. The Mustangs pulled their goalie with 5:43 remaining and Ross Krieger and Kirton were able to capitalize. Kolten Olynek rounded out the scoring for Western.
 
Second-year Blues goalie Alex Bishop made 37 saves in his first career playoff win.
 
"I though Bish helped us a lot," added Kirton. "He's solid back there, making key saves. That's what playoff hockey is. He's got to make the saves when it really matters. My linemates were good, Harv and Clarkie. I thought we battled and were good on the penalty kill so we're going to keep that rolling and see what happens."
 
UP NEXT: Game 2 is set for this Saturday, February 15 at Thompson Arena in London, Ont. Puck drop is at 3 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is back at Varsity Arena on Sunday, February 16 at 7 p.m. 
 
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