The No. 9 nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team clinched a 7-2 win over the Waterloo Warriors on Friday (Dec. 1) night at Varsity Arena.

A rapid first period unfolded with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities for both teams. However, Warriors forward Emmett Pierce secured the first goal of the game banging in an early rebound. On a late period powerplay, third-year forward and team captain Cole Purboo equalized the game for the Blues, making a nifty move from in tight to the Warriors net before sending a quick shot into the top of the net. The goal fueled the Blues with the motivation as from that point they seized control of the game. First-year forward Christian Stevens put the Blues up by one goal right before the end of the first period, converting a Warriors centre ice turnover into a short-handed marker.
 
The second period remained all Blues as the home team notched another two short-handed goals midway through the frame. Second-year forward Graham Dickerson placed the puck behind the Warriors goaltender off of a two-on-one assist from Jacob King, while just minutes later Dickerson returned the favor and set up King for his sixth goal of the season. The Warriors scored one more goal before the end of the second period to make it a 4-2 advantage for U of T heading into the final intermission.

Three more unanswered third period goals for Toronto then began with a perfectly placed one-timer from second-year forward Zack Smith. Moments later, Blues second-year forward Nicholas Wong set up linemate Purboo for his second goal of the game. Third-year forward Owen Robinson topped it off with one last goal for the Blues, achieving the 7-2 win over the Warriors.

Toronto goalie Jett Alexander earned the win, registering 31 saves.

An offence on fire, U of T have now outscored their opponents 18-4 over their last three games, all wins for the Blue and White. Toronto close out the fall semester with a 12-5 record, placing them in second in the OUA West division.

The Blues will return to action in the new year, on Friday, Jan. 5 in North Bay, where they play the first of two back-to-back games against the Nipissing Lakers. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m., and the game will also be streamed online at oua.tv.