The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team fell 4-2 in their home opener on Saturday (Oct. 4) night at Varsity Arena. 

The first period was tightly contested as U of T and Laurier traded scoring chances. Golden Hawks forward Max-Antoine Melancon opened the scoring midwway through the opening frame as the Blues found themselves trailing 1-0 going into the first intermission. 

In the second period Lauier extended their lead early as a shorthanded goal from forward Thomas Lenart put the Blues behind by two goals. Toronto was quick to respond as fourth-year forward Zack Smith fired home a one-timer off a pass from third-year forward Brandon Santa Juana to get U of T on the board and cut the lead in half. In the late stages of the period, the Golden Hawks regained their two-goal lead as Melancon notched his second goal of the game.

The Blues pressed hard in the third period and were rewarded for their efforts by drawing a penalty. On the power play, third-year forward Rylee Hlusiak found the back of the net for his first goal as a Blue to cut into Laurier's lead. The Blues outshot Laurier 17-6 in the final 20 minutes of play as they threw everything they had at goaltender Andrew Ness. Despite the impressive scoring chances the Blues had in the third period, Golden Hawks forward Travis Verbeek's empty net goal secure the win for the road team. 

FIrst-year goaltender Nick Surzycia made 25 saves in his OUA debut. 

The Blues are back in action on Thursday (Oct. 9) night when they host the Western Mustangs at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets. U of T students recieve free entry with a valid T-Card. The game will also be streamed live on oua.tv.