The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team fell 4-1 to the Brock Badgers in their home opener on Friday (Oct. 16) night at Varsity Arena.
Early in the first period, the Badgers scored the icebreaker when Nathan Ethier riffled a shot into the back of the net, putting the Blues on their heels. The visiting team extended their lead midway through the frame when Ryan Johnstone struck on a two-on-one chance.
Toronto brought the crowd of over 500 fans to their feet with 25 seconds left in the first period as second-year forward Ryan Evenhuis danced through the offensive zone and fired a shot that beat Benjamin Bonisteel glove side for his second goal of the season. Drawing assists on the marker were second-year forward Alexander Dimitriadis and fourth-year forward Rylee Hlusiak.
In the second period, the Badgers restored their two-goal advantage as Ethier's power play goal marked his second of the night. Toronto was able to generate offence, firing 12 shots on Bonisteel in the middle frame but were unable to cut into the deficit through two periods of play. Toronto continued to push offensively in the third period, meanwhile fourth-year goalie Jordan Fairlie made some of the best of his 29 saves in the game to keep U of T within striking distance. Toronto continued to fight for a goal as the intensity ramped up but with Fairlie to the bench for the extra attacker, Ethier fired a shot into the empty net to seal the victory for the visitors.
The Blues will look to get back in the win column tomorrow (Oct. 17) afternoon when they make the trip to the north end of Toronto to take on the York Lions. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be live streamed on
oua.tv.
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