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THE OFFICIAL HOME OF TMU Bold
THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE TMU Bold HOME OF THE TMU Bold
A TMU player carries the puck into the offensive zone
Photo by Jack Shanlin
1
Western WES
4
Winner TMU TMU
Western WES
1
Final
4
TMU TMU
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Western WES 0 0 1 1
TMU TMU 1 1 2 4

Game Recap: Hockey (M) | | Jay Greyvenstein

Bold move one step closer to first-round bye

TORONTO - After securing their fifth win in their last six games, the TMU Bold sit just one win away from a first round bye. A 4-1 win over Western on Wednesday night ensured that TMU's Friday night contest against the University of Toronto could decide the number two seed in the OUA West division. TMU now holds a four point lead over the Varsity Blues with three games to play in the Bold season. With the victory Kai Edmonds also moved into 3rd all-time for wins in TMU history, stopping 30 of 31 shots he faced. 

"It's special (moving up the TMU history books)," said Edmonds. "But they're kind of team wins at the same time."

The Bold (17-8-0) were unable to solve the Mustangs' goaltender early despite outshooting the Mustangs 12-3 through the first half of the opening period. The Bold were unable to convert an early opportunity for their fourth ranked power play to improve on its gaudy 24.5% conversion rate following an illegal check to the head of Ryan Wells. Wells, quietly one of the Bold's best defencemen, would not return.  

Chris Playfair would score his fifth goal of the season just seven seconds into the Bold's next chance on the power play, with assists coming from Artem Duda and Kevin Gursoy. It was a well-earned reward for the Bold, who kept the majority of play in the first period within the Mustangs' zone. The Bold would finish the period with an astonishing 24-7 edge in shots.

"We knew against a team like Western we wanted to get on their defenscemen a lot," said Connor Bowie. "Being in their end so much ended up creating a lot of shots."

Western would quickly move the shot line to a more respectable difference, outshooting the Bold 7-1 in the early stages of the second. Edmonds answered the call, however, with a spectacular save in the second minute of the period to preserve the one goal lead.
 
Penalty problems would contribute to the Bold's struggles in the middle stanza, recording two penalties in the first seven minutes of the period. The Bold, who rank twelfth out of nineteen in the OUA, were solid on the penalty tonight, however, improving on their 79.5% success rate.

Bowie would double the Bold lead with six minutes to go in the second, recording his tenth goal of the season on a deflection from an Evan Brand point shot. It would cap a period where the Bold were outshot 14-9, but had the more dangerous chances despite killing six minutes of penalties.

"There's still a high level of confidence (in the penalty kill)," said head coach Johnny Duco. "When we roll up our sleeves and execute at a high level we've proven we can be one of the top penalty kills in the country."

Kevin Gursoy would extend the TMU lead 4:28 into the third period, with a strong snapshot that trickled through, putting the Bold firmly in the drivers' seat for the remainder of the contest. The Mustangs would get on the scoresheet with a shorthanded goal at 8:35 in the third, spoiling the shutout. 

Kyle Bollers would restore the three goal lead with a sensational finish, gaining time and space by faking a move between the legs and driving towards the net. The highlight reel goal was Bollers' 17th of the season, putting him one shy of fifth place in TMU's single season record. The Bold would finish the night outworking the Mustangs, playing sound defensive hockey to cruise to the 4-1 win.

Puck drop for the Friday night contest with heavy playoff implications against Toronto begins at 7 p.m.

"We have to make sure we're at our absolute best on Friday night and we're not leaving any points on the table," finished Duco.
 
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