The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision to the Niagara University Purple Eagles in exhibition action on Tuesday evening (Jan. 2) at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y.
 
It was the two team's first meeting in program history.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: After a back-and-forth scoreless first period, Niagara finally opened the scoring late in the second frame when Lars Rodne found the top corner of the net. That lead didn't last long though as first-year Blues forward Zack Smith notched a powerplay goal just over two minutes later.
 
The game was deadlocked at 1-1 after 40 minutes.
 
Niagara regained the lead early in the third period when Olivier Gauthier scored a powerplay marker off of a faceoff. The home team doubled their lead just over two minutes later as Lane Brockhoff found the back of the net.

The Blues pulled goalie Rayce Ramsay with 2:33 remaining, but were unable to solve Niagara netminder Ryan Ouellette again. 
 
Ramsay made 28 saves in the loss.
 
UP NEXT: The Blues resume regular season play this coming weekend as they head to Thunder Bay, Ont., for two games versus the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

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