The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team defeated the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 in overtime in an exhibition game on Thursday (Sept. 11) night at Varsity Arena.

U of T and Guelph went traded chances throughout the first period as the Blues had the majority of possession in the offensive zone holding a 13-7 shot advantage after 20 minutes of play. Late in the period, Gryphons forward Nolan DeGurse opened the scoring as U of T went into the first intermission trailing 1-0.

Midway through the second period U of T got the equalizer. Third-year forward Brandon Santa Juana stormed his way towards the Gryphons net. The Langley, B.C. native danced around goaltender Olivier Ciarlo sliding the puck through his five hole and into the back of the net.

Guelph was quick to respond to the Blues equalizer as forward Julian Vander Voet's shorthanded goal put Toronto behind 2-1. With 52 seconds remaining in the second period fourth-year forward Eddie Yan's shot ricocheted off of Ciarlo and past the goal line as U of T and Guelph went into the third period tied at two.

The third period saw Toronto and Guelph trade scoring chances but Ciarlo and fourth-year Blues goaltender Rayce Ramsey turned away all the shots they faced sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, fourth-year forward Zack Smith was the hero for the Blues. Smith broke into the offensive zone and fired a wrist shot from the slot past Ciarlo to secure the win for U of T.

Ramsey made 22 saves in the game.

The Blues next exhibition game takes place at Varsity Arena on Friday (Sept. 12) night when they take on the Laurier Golden Hawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. with tickets available at varsityblues.ca/tickets.