TORONTO - The TMU Bold men's hockey team picked up their second win in as many days with an impressive 5-3 win on Friday night over the Carleton Ravens. The win puts the Bold at 9-3-0 on the season, and comfortably inside a playoff spot as the winter break approaches.
Starring in the win for the Bold was Kevin Gursoy with his fifth and sixth goals of the season. The Bold also saw key contributions from Will Portokalis and Aleks Dimovski, helping lift them to their ninth win on the year.
The opening stages of the game were dominated by the Bold, with TMU holding early advantages in shot totals and possession. As a result, Gursoy would find the scoresheet with his fifth goal of the season just five minutes into the contest.Â
"Those are three impactful players," said head coach Johnny Duco of the Gursoy-Grigorev-Bollers line. "All three guys seem to have found their game right now."
Carleton would respond just seconds later, however, with their second shot of the game leveling the score. Things would remain even with Kai Edmonds making several key saves in the face of mounting Carleton pressure. However the Ravens would eventually pull ahead with a deflection in close on the power play. It was a frustrating result for the Bold, who despite leading in shots after 20 minutes, had numerous defensive miscues that gave the Ravens better chances.
"You're gonna have a good shift, you're gonna have a bad shift, you're gonna have a shift that's super chippy but it's about coming to the bench, gathering yourself and refocusing," said Duco on maintaining an even-keel during a physical contest.
As the second period began with both teams starting the second period at four on four, Portokalis took advantage of the open ice. He was sprung on a breakaway by Elijah Roberts, and brought the game level with his second goal of the season. The Bold would build on their strong start to the period with Dimovski recording his first goal of the season on a scramble in front of the Carleton goal. The Ravens would equalize just before the period's end, however, with another Bold lapse in coverage allowing for an impressive goal for Carleton to level the score at three. Tempers flared as the middle stanza ended, resulting in a Carleton 5-on-3 to begin the third.
"A full 5-on-3 is usually the difference in the hockey game," said Duco. "There's some coaches at really high levels that talk about 'if you don't score on the 5-on-3, you won't win the game.'"
It was a message that rang true again tonight. The Bold would kill the 2-man disadvantage off with ease, giving them momentum to open the final frame. Tensions remained high throughout the period with the physicality picking up. After another post-whistle scrum that brought the faceoff inside the Carleton zone, Ryan Wells would float a wrister through from the point that found the back of the net. It gave the Bold an important third period lead they would not relinquish.
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Kevin Gursoy would add an important insurance marker for the Bold on a lucky bounce with 7:25 remaining in the contest. It would seal a hard fought ninth victory for the Bold.
The Bold are back in action on Wednesday, November 22 against Toronto for the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
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