The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team faced a tough challenge against the TMU Bold in their Saturday (Jan. 18) afternoon game at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ont.

The Blues were handed a 4-1 loss in their first road game of 2025, unable to best the Bold who currently sit atop the OUA Western Conference standings.

The Bold wasted no time asserting their dominance, capitalizing on a power play just two minutes into the game as Ian Martin pounced on a loose puck in front of the net. The remainder of the opening period was consisted of intense back-and-forth play, with TMU managing 10 shots on goal and the Blues grabbing nine. Despite the pressure, Blues goaltender Rayce Ramsay stood tall, turning away each attempt. U of T was unable to find an equalizer in the opening frame.

The Blues upped their pace in the second period as they were determined to get on the scoresheet. Just two minutes in, Julian Recine forced a TMU turnover and passed to Owen Hollingsworth, who found Nicholas Wong. The third-year forward broke past the TMU defence and made a slick move to beat TMU goaltender Ryan Dugas, tying the game at one. TMU regained their lead later in the period when Slava Melikov fired a shot from the point through a screen to find the back of the net. The first forty minutes concluded with the Bold up by one. 

The final period was a hard-fought battle, with both teams pushing the pace but unable to find the back of the net. The Blues brought their shot total up to 26, while TMU put 29 pucks on net. In the closing minutes, Toronto pulled Ramsay in a bid to even the score, but TMU scored twice on the empty cage to seal the game.

This game brings the Blues record to 12-9, and they will be back looking to improve it on Friday, Jan. 24 against the NIpissing Lakers. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m at Varsity Arena. Tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, and the game can be streamed online via oua.tv.