The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team lost 4-3 against the Guelph Gryphons on Friday (Nov. 22) night in Guelph, Ont.
 
Remembering their shutout win against the Guelph Gryphons in the last meeting between the two teams, the Blues were hopeful for a similar result in the Friday showdown. The first 20 minutes gave a great representation of the Blues tone for the game as they came out flying, grabbing 11 shots on net, but all were turned away. On the other end, U of T netminder Jordan Fairlie had a great start, saving all 14 first period shots from the Gryphons, including a determined backdoor dive that kept the puck out and the score even at 0-0. Fairlie would end the night with 34 total saves.
 
Despite the stalemate in the first, the second brought plenty of opportunities for both the Blues and the Gryphons. Guelph managed to grab the first point on a power play where Dylan Hudon tipped in a shot from Nolan Dann. Shortly after, Dann grabbed a second goal for the Gryphons before Nolan Forster made it a 3-0 Guelph lead with a second power play marker for the home side. However, the three-goal advantage quickly turned around as only 10 seconds after the next faceoff, Blues third-year forward Jacob King got a shot past Guelph goalie Tanner Wickware to get Toronto on the board before the second intermission.
 
Looking to grab a few more, first-year forward Dylan Wightman sent a rocket from the top of the circle into the Gryphons net five minutes into the third period to bring the Blues within one. Looking for an equalizer, the Blues almost had a third goal on a close, down-to-the-replay scramble in front of the net that had the referee wave off the opportunity. Despite this small setback, fourth-year forward Owen Robinson made sure with the next chance, sniping in the Blues third goal right off the draw during a late period power play to tie the game with under five minute remaining. In a nail-biting run to the end of regulation, the Gryphons got their lead back, scoring on another power play opportunity in the last two minutes of the game to secure the home win.
 
The Blues will right back on the ice, remaining on the road as they travel to face the Brock Badgers tomorrow (Nov. 23) afternoon. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m., with the game available to stream online via oua.tv.