TORONTO — In their return to the ice after a lengthy COVID-related stoppage, the Rams men's hockey team cruised past the division rival York Lions by a score of 5-1 thanks chiefly to a stunning three-goal performance by veteran forward David Miller, who notched his first career OUA hat trick. 

Energized by a slick and fast-paced start to the game, the Rams got on the board seven minutes in when Miller fired a wrist shot past Lions netminder Cole Ceci to break the ice. Later on in the frame, the Lions answered when Owen Gilhula knocked a loose puck past Rams goaltender Garrett Forrest to even the score at 1-1.  

With three minutes remaining in the period, Jeremiah Addison took a stellar cross-ice pass from Domenico Commisso to reclaim his team's lead. Before the period came to an end, the Rams continued to loiter in the York offensive zone, rattling off legitimate chances until time expired. Head coach Johnny Duco, who before the game stressed the importance of playing a complete and measured game, was proud of his team's performance in the opening frame. 
 

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"I really liked the resilience of the group," Duco said of the team's first period effort. "We did stick with our game plan and as the game went on, I think we did a pretty good job."

In the second period, the Rams extended their lead thanks to the exceptional passing of Jackson Doherty, who fed Miller from behind the net and watched as his teammate roofed the puck over Ceci for his second of the contest. Before the frame came to a close, Kyle Bollers squeaked a rolling puck through Ceci's five hole for a surprising—yet certainly welcome—fourth goal. 
 

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"It happened that the puck found me," Bollers remarked of his entry on the scoresheet. "Nothing really special about it, but I'm glad it went in."
 
In the third, the Rams tacked onto their lead when Miller pushed one past the York goal line for his third of the night, a performance that drew whoops and hollers from his ebullient teammates. Miller, who was given the assistant captainship this season after three seasons with the program, was understated as always in describing his thrilling night.

"It was really nice seeing the boys being so supportive," Miller said of his third goal. "That was awesome." 

His teammates were likewise ecstatic, describing Miller as a "glue guy" in the dressing room and praising his work ethic and dedication.

"Everyone loves him," Bollers remarked of the veteran Miller. "For him to get out there and score a hat trick is unbelievable."

Overall, the Rams outshot the Lions 28-15 and, in the words of their head coach, played in a steady, repeatable manner that bodes well for a team very much in the hunt for a division title.

"We know that if we manage the puck and protect it, we're going to be a really tough team to play against," Duco said in summary. "Any time you win, you feel better about it."

After an off day on Friday, the Rams will head north to face off against the Lions on Saturday at Canlan Ice Sports. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m.