The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the York Lions 4-3 on Saturday (Oct. 11) afternoon in Toronto.

U of T came flying out of the gate, jumping out to a 3-0 the first 13 minutes of the game. Second-year forward Nicholas Athanasakos broke the ice less than three minutes in, receiving a pass in the high slot from first-year forward Ryan Watt as the kinesiology student fired it home for his second goal in as many games.

Toronto's special teams struck twice to extend the lead midway through the opening frame. The Blues got a two-on-one chance off the rush and fourth-year forward Zack Smith capitalized with a shorthanded goal. Smith struck again, this time on the power play, beating Lions goaltender Dawson Smith on his glove side for his fourth goal of the season. York cut the U of T lead to two goals as forward Ethan Strik found the back of the net but the Blues went into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead.

In the second period, the Lions struck twice as forward Owen Gilhula scored a power play goal and forward Nick McGee made it a 3-3 game midway through the second period.

In the late stages of the third period the Blues regained the lead. Third-year forward Julian Recine's shot from the point made its way through traffic and was deflected by third-year defenceman Thomas Gangl. York applied strong pressure in the offensive zone but first-year Blues goalie Nick Surzycia was up to the task in between the pipes, finishing the game with 24 saves to claim his first win in the OUA.

The Blues are back in action on Friday (Oct. 17) night when they host the TMU Bold at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets. U of T students receive free entry with a valid T-Card. The game will be streamed live on oua.tv.