The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the Windsor Lancers 3-1 on Saturday (Nov. 15) afternoon at Varsity Arena.

Toronto set the tone early in the game generating sustained pressure in the offensive zone. Their breakthrough game when third-year forward Rylee Hlusiak picked up the puck in the offensive zone and fired it past Lancers goaltender Max Donoso for his sixth goal of the season. The Blues doubled their lead when first-year forward Ryan Watt got a chance off the rush and picked a corner, beating Donoso. U of T dictated the pace of play in the opening 20 minutes and went into the first intermission with a 2-0 advantage.

In an intense second period the Blues penalty kill stood tall, forcing Windsor to the outside and getting bodies in front of shots. In net, first-year goaltender Nick Surzycia anchored the effort as he turned aside several scoring chances to keep the scoreboard unchanged going into the third period.

An early third period goal from Dylan Schives gave Windsor life but the Blues were effective in staving off a comeback attempt. Surzycia slowed the game down making several key saves throughout the period. With a late push, fourth-year forward Zack Smith laid out to block a shot with 87 seconds left before third-year forward Brandon Santa Juana's empty net goal gave the Blues an insurance marker needed for victory.

Surzycia was strong in goal all game for the Blues with 32 saves.

The Blues are back in action on Friday (Nov. 21) night when they travel to Waterloo to face the Laurier Golden Hawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on oua.tv.