TORONTO - The Ryerson Rams face a stiff test away from Mattamy Home Ice this week with a single game against the OUA's top-ranked Toronto Varsity Blues on Thursday. 

The Rams have gotten unlucky recently, dropping their last two games. Saturday's 2-0 loss to Western was especially frustrating, with the squad failing to light the lamp after 39 shots on goal. Despite being shut out, the Rams hold on to the OUA-best goals-per-game average, now at 2.94. 

In their two-game skid, the Rams have shown drastic improvements in their special teams. Their penalty-kill has gone 10-for-10 in the last two games and an impressive 13-for-14 in 2020. Holding Western's power play unit scoreless was quite an accomplishment for the squad as the Mustangs boast the best numbers in the league with a player-advantage. 

Against the Badgers last week, the Rams' power play went 2-for-3, but failed to capitalize on five opportunities against Western. All aspects of the Rams' game will need to be sharp on Thursday against Toronto. 

The Blues are tied with the York Lions with 37 points atop the OUA. Toronto has a keen ability to limit opposing scorers, with a league-best 1.26 goals-against-average. However, Toronto's last four games have been decided by a goal or less, excluding their 2-0 win over York which included an empty-netter. The Blues also tend to overwhelm their opponent with shots, averaging an OUA-most 30.6 shots per game. 

As a morning match, puck drop at Varsity Arena is set for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday. Toronto is 7-0-1 at home, while the Rams are 4-4-0 on the road. Catch the action on OUA.tv