TORONTO — Less than 24 hours after a thrilling overtime victory at nearby Varsity Arena, the Rams men's hockey team played host to the rival Toronto Varsity Blues at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, crushing them in a rough and physical 5-1 victory. Though things were occasionally testy, the Rams prevailed with skill and immaculate team chemistry. 

Less than three minutes into the first period, Chris Playfair cleaned up a rebound in front of Varsity Blues goalie Alex Bishop to break the ice. For the Rams—who came out sluggishly in Thursday's opening frame—getting going early was key. Though both teams remained adamant in their physicality throughout the remainder of the period, the Rams managed to extend their lead thanks to the beautifully dextrous stick work of Kyle Bollers, who beat Bishop with a stunning move and shot. 
 

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— Rams Men's Hockey (@ramsmhockey) February 25, 2022

"He's got elite talent," Rams head coach Johnny Duco said of Bollers, the team's leading scorer. "His drive and his determination is what sets him apart from others."

In the second period, the rough and physical play continued, with the Rams failing to capitalize on a string of penalties committed by the Blues, including a four-minute penalty for spearing that seemed to animate the Rams bench. Later in the frame, Joe Rupoli notched his first goal in the blue and gold after a loose rebound found its way onto his stick and he batted it into the Blues net. Before the period came to a close, Ryan Wells got in on the fun, scoring his second goal of the campaign from the point which prompted the Blues to change goaltenders. 

With less than a minute left in the middle frame, the Blues got on the board thanks to Jeremy Pullara, who proceeded to heckle Rams netminder Garrett Forrest, drawing the ire of the Rams on the ice. On the ensuing 5-on-3 advantage, things got even uglier, with Forrest and new Blues goalie Jett Alexander tussling at centre ice.

Bollers, who was right in the thick of the game's most prominent scrum, described the game's tone as "grimy," adding that the Blues' physical presence was predictable given the events of last night.
 

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— Rams Men's Hockey (@ramsmhockey) February 26, 2022

"We knew what we were getting ourselves into," Bollers observed. "We knew it was going to be a physical game. Honestly, it got carried away a little bit, but we were ready for it."

In the third period, the Rams extended their lead when Wells found the back of the net for a second time, and were able to quell any Varsity Blues comeback with sound defence and swift forechecking. 

"We're going to keep working, we're going to keep reviewing our systems," Duco said of the team's effort and their upcoming week of practice. "We're getting more guys pulling in that right direction."

Ultimately, the Rams won their seventh straight game and bolstered their strong lead atop the OUA West division. After a week of practice and preparation, the Rams will host the Lakehead Thunderwolves in a pair of tilts on March 4 and 5.