Box Score With the help of two goals from Ben Woodhouse, the Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the TMU Bold 5-3 in Game 3 of their OUA playoff series on Sunday evening (February 19) at Mattamy Athletic Centre.
This victory marks the first playoff series win for head coach Ryan Medel and is the first time the Blues have advanced to the quarter-finals since 2016. Toronto will take on the top-seeded Lakehead Thunderwolves. The Blues will host Game 1 this Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. Games 2 and 3, if necessary, are slated for Friday and Saturday night in Thunder Bay at 7 p.m.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Bold continued with their momentum from Game 2, opening the scoring within the first minute with a goal from Jesse Barwell. With under half a period left to play Woodhouse grabbed the rebound of a Ryan Barbosa shot to tie up the game. The Bold would leave the period with the lead after Daniel D'Amico scored with 30 seconds to play.
The Blues came out flying in the second period, outshooting the Bold 23-9. U of T would strike first in the second with rookie forward Jacob King tying up the game eight minutes in. Second-year forward Cole Purboo added a goal of his own five minutes later to give the Blues their first lead of the game. With two minutes to play, TMU tied up the game thanks to a goal from Ryan Wells.
A fast-paced third period saw both teams trade scoring chances, but the Blues momentum from the second period helped them overcome the Bold. With five minutes remaining, a wide-open Woodhouse scored his second goal of the night, giving the Blues the lead. Forward Owen Robinson added a goal of his own into the empty net to solidify the victory for the Blues.
Blues starting goalie Jett Alexander finished the game with 22 saves.
