TORONTO — After weeks of being kept in operational limbo, the Rams men's hockey team—along with the rest of the university's varsity teams—is finally returning to competition on February 10 against the York Lions. For a team that was just beginning to hit their stride as the season came to a screeching halt, the news is welcomed on many levels.

At practice on Monday, February 7, the team seemed loose and relaxed, practicing jubilantly and running through drills until well past the end of their allotted two-hour session. While they obviously seemed intent on firming up parts of their game that had gone unpracticed for months, there was definitely an air of relief among the team's veterans and rookies alike.  

"I really like the way we look," head coach Johnny Duco remarked of the team's return to play. "It'll be interesting to see in a real game how the legs are, how the lungs are, and all that."

Duco's players reiterated the fact that the rust is slowly being shaken off, with many of them rounding into game shape within a matter of days. The team's veterans are especially thankful to be back, seeing as this season represents one of their last kicks at the proverbial can in the OUA. 

"Hands are coming back and legs are coming back," veteran forward Cavin Leth said. "It's nice to have a structure back."

Added assistant captain David Miller: "We're all happy to be back. We're happy to see each other in the dressing room."

Along with Leth and team captain Jared Walsh, the Rams are poised to be anchored by rookies Kyle Bollers and Elijah Roberts—both of whom have been lighting up the OUA in their debut seasons—as well as program stalwarts Hayden McCool, Matt Nosella, and Zachary Shankar. In net, the squad will lean heavily on Garrett Forrest who, in the absence of Lucas Peressini (who signed with the ECHL's Worcester Railers in January) will be the team's go-to netminder down the stretch. 

As of the beginning of the month, the Rams sit tied for first place in the OUA West division with Brock, and a solid four points ahead of the Lakehead Thunderwolves. Having played to a record of 5-2-0 in the first half, the Rams scored 21 goals (14th in the OUA) and allowed just 16 goals (1st in the OUA) against while racking up 83 penalty minutes (4th lowest in the OUA). Historically, the Rams have played to a record of 14-13 against York, scoring a cumulative 89 goals and winning their last six against their crosstown rivals.

"They're a team that we've watched a lot of video [of] in the first half," Duco said of facing off against York. "Definitely somebody we won't take lightly and we'll have to bring our [best]."

After their first game of the second half, the Rams will take on the Lions again on Saturday, February 12 at York's Canlan Ice Sports arena.