The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's hockey team fell 2-1 in the shootout to the McGill Redbirds on Friday (Sept. 25) night at Varsity Arena.
In a matchup that didn't disappoint between two Old Four rivals, U of T and McGill put on a show for the Varsity Arena crowd. With back-and-forth action up and down the ice, a fast-paced overtime and a 10-round shootout.
Speed and physicality were on display from the opening puck drop with McGill scoring the icebreaker midway through the first period. Capitalizing on the power play was Charles-Antoine Dumont who finished off a pass from Jeremie Payant. Trailing from behind, the Blues found their footing as the period progressed, but Dumont's goal was the difference maker as the two teams went into their respective locker rooms.
Toronto responded in the second period, scoring midway through the middle frame as a booming shot from fourth-year defenceman Thomas Gangl found the back of the net, evening the score. Drawing assists on the play was fourth-year forward Rylee Hlusiak and second-year forward Alexander Dimitriadis.
Following Gangl's goal, the goalie dual was on between McGill's Nicolas Ruccia and first-year Blues netminder Eric Young. The two goaltenders traded highlights reel saves in the second half of the game, refusing to be beat as the two sides looked to gain an edge.
With the game deadlocked in the third period, U of T pushed for the go-ahead goal, holding a 11-7 shot advantage in the third period. With the score unchanged after regulation, the stage was set for overtime.
In overtime, the two teams gave everything they had for a game-winning goal. Toronto continued to apply pressure on McGill, outshooting the opposition 6-2. After 67 minutes of play and 29 and 37 saves from Young and Ruccia respectively, the game was going to the shootout.
McGill's Hudson Cummings scored the first goal of the shootout but Dimitriadis responded in the following round. Young sent the Varsity Arena faithful into a frenzy with eight-straight saves in the shootout, making his mark in the crease. In the 10
th round, Igor Mburanumwe broke the deadlock with a goal before Ruccia made one final save to seal the win for McGill.
The Blues have a quick turnaround, taking on the MacEwan Griffins on Saturday (Sept. 26) night at Varsity Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m., with tickets available at
varsityblues.ca/tickets.
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