With the season on the line, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's hockey team lost 5-3 against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Sunday at the Mattamy Athletic Centre — dropping their first-round series. 

The decisive game three went back and forth as both sides traded goals before Ben Woodhouse scored the game-winning goal with 4:12 left in the third period. 

"Just disappointed. [I] feel for the fifth-year guys. I know how much this group cares. [We] just weren't good enough the second semester," said Bold head coach Johnny Duco. "[We] probably got what we deserved in this game. I don't think we were the better team this series and, unfortunately, we came up short."

"It's a sad way to finish my career at TMU. Just been in the [dressing room] reflecting with some of the fifth-year guys about five amazing years of my life with some really good friends," said an emotional fifth-year forward and team captain Jesse Barwell.

The Bold raced out the lead in the opening frame of the game as Barwell rifled a wrist shot top shelf behind Blues netminder Jett Alexander. 

Following the quick strike, the Bold found themselves in penalty trouble with three straight infractions — including a Zach Shankar 10-minute misconduct for head conduct.

Despite being on the man advantage, the Blues did not register a shot for the first 12 minutes of the period and the Bold successfully killed off each penalty in the frame.  

However, the Blues found the equalizer off the rebound of Kai Edmonds' first save as Woodhouse corralled the loose puck and slid it into the open cage. 

With a little over thirty seconds remaining in the period, second-year forward Kevin Gursoy forced a turnover off Blues forward Eddie Yan in Toronto's defensive zone. The LaSalle, Ont. native then quickly dished a pass over to first-year forward Daniel D'Amico who blasted a shot past Alexander to restore the Bold lead.  

Midway through the second, the Blues equalized once again. This time Jacob King found the back of the net after he picked up his rebound following an Edmonds save. Shortly after, Toronto took the lead as Cole Purboo deflected a shot-pass from Ryan Barbosa to make it 3-2. 

With over two minutes left in the frame, TMU tied it, just as their first powerplay expired. A shot from second-year defenceman Ryan Wells beat Alexander with traffic in front to even it up heading into the third. 

"They kept pushing. They didn't let up, [but] we didn't either," said Barwell. 

Late in the third period, Woodhouse was found open in front of the net by King and put away his second of the night to give the Blues the lead yet again. TMU pushed to tie it up with the goalie pulled, but Owen Robinson potted the empty netter for the insurance marker to seal the victory. 

"The story of our series, our night, our second semester was just a lack of execution. We weren't sharp night in [and] night out. We seem to have some of the same issues and ultimately that crept up again here tonight," said Duco. "It's frustrating. I know how much the guys care and how much they wanted, but it came down to poor execution and it cost us." 

Barwell was one of several Bold players who skated in their final game as they depart the program as seniors. 

"Don't take it for granted. It goes by fast. [It's] some of the best years of your life,"  said Barwell on his message to the younger members of the team as he leaves the Bold behind.

"They've left a tremendous legacy. We're hosting the national championship next year because of the careers those fifth-years had," added Duco. 

With the season wrapped up for the Bold, they look towards the 2024 U SPORTS National Championship which will be hosted at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

"You get an amazing opportunity to host nationals. That opportunity doesn't come around very often, so don't take it for granted," said Barwell.

"[Our goal next year is] to win a national championship," added Duco.