The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the Guelph Gryphons 5-2 on Thursday (Oct. 23) night in Guelph, Ont.

In the first period, first-year goaltender Nick Surzycia was strong in goal, turning aside 14 Guelph shots including a highlight reel save where the rookie netminder stretched out the pad to rob the Gryphons on the back door. Guelph took a 2-0 advantage into the first intermission. Julien Gervais opened the scoring midway through the frame and with five minutes remaining Dylan Hudon found the back of the net.

With a five-minute power play, the Blues capitalized twice with the man advantage to even the score in the second period. With effective puck movement at the blueline, third-year forward Julien Recine set up fellow third-year forward Rylee Hlusiak. The Barrie, Ont., native skated into the slot and fired a shot into the back of the net as the Blues were on the scoreboard. Less than one minute later, third-year forward Owen Hollingsworth fired home a shot on the doorstep tying the game at 2-2.

Special teams remained a factor for Toronto in the second period, after killing of the first penalty on a five-on-three Guelph power play, Hlusiak sprung third-year forward Christian Stevens for a breakaway. The history student deked around goaltender Olivier Ciarlo to take the lead.

The Blues added an insurance marker in the third period as Recine wrapped around the Gryphons net and beat Ciarlo inside the post for his third goal of the season. With the net empty the Blues were got their bodies in front of shots to keep the score unchanged while Surzyca made some of the best of his 36 saves in the game. First-year forward Ryan Watt iced the game with an empty net goal for his first in the OUA.

U of T is back in action on Saturday (Oct. 25) night when they travel to Canton, New York for an exhibition game against St. Lawrence University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., and live stats are available here.