The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team lost 2-1 against the TMU Bold in Game 3 of the OUA semifinals on Sunday, Mar. 9 at Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, Ont. The Blues will play for OUA bronze on Saturday, Mar. 15 at 7:30 p.m. against the Queen's Gaels.
 
With everything on the line in this pivotal winner-take-all Game 3 of the OUA semifinals, the intensity between TMU and Toronto was palpable from the opening puck drop. A high-paced, hard-hitting affair saw TMU dominate early possession, outshooting Toronto 13-3 in the first period. However, stellar goaltending from Rayce Ramsay and a resilient Blues defensive effort, including two penalty kills, kept the game scoreless through the first 20 minutes.
 
TMU finally broke the deadlock midway through the second period when Spencer Shugrue capitalized on a rebound, burying a loose puck after a point shot ricocheted off bodies in front. The Bold kept up the pressure and extended their lead before the second intermission, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to make it 2-0. Toronto responded with a more aggressive offensive push, raising their shot count to 13 by the end of the frame.
 
Facing the end of their OUA championship hopes, the Blues came out flying in the third, hemming the Bold in their zone and forcing multiple icings as they looked to wear down the TMU defenders. Their persistence was rewarded when Dylan Wightman pounced on a rebound during a net-front scramble and fired the puck into the open cage to, igniting the Toronto bench. The goal went to the Blues legs as momentum shifted in their favour. U of T spent most of the third period in the TMU defensive zone as they continued to press for the equalizer, but TMU's defensive structure and strong goaltending stood firm.
 
Toronto threw everything they had at the Bold's net in the dying minutes, finishing the night with 27 shots, but they couldn't find a way to force overtime. Despite a valiant effort, the Blues fell 2-1 in a heartbreaking loss.
 
The job isn't finished yet, as the Blues will travel to Kingston, Ont. for the OUA bronze medal game with a berth to nationals on the line. Toronto will face the Queen's Gaels next Saturday, March 15th. Puck drop is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., with action being streamed online via oua.tv.