Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

TMU Athletics & Recreation

THE OFFICIAL HOME OF TMU Bold
THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE TMU Bold HOME OF THE TMU Bold
A TMU player skates and protects the puck against a defender
Photo by Josh Kim
1
Laurier WLU
4
Winner TMU TMU
Laurier WLU
1
Final
4
TMU TMU
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Laurier WLU 1 0 0 1
TMU TMU 1 0 3 4

Game Recap: Hockey (M) | | Nashra Syed

Bollers nets a pair, Bold take game one against Laurier

TORONTO - The TMU Bold men's hockey team kicked off their playoff journey with a strong 4-1 win against the Laurier Golden Hawks.

"Feels good. Obviously got a long road ahead of us here, high expectations with this group but certainly feels good to get the first win out of the way," said Johnny Duco, head coach of the Bold.

The team started off hot on the offensive, with Kyle Bollers stealing the puck from the Golden Hawks possession.

Artem Duda and Cole Cameron both put up shots on goal for the blue and gold, but both attempts were unsuccessful. 

In a turn of events, the Golden Hawks were the ones who opened up the scoring in Toronto, leading the Bold 1-0.

The team worked hard to even out the score, and it was Ryan Wells who opened up the playoff goal scoring for the Bold. Assists from Zach Roberts and captain Chris Playfair helped even out the score at the end of first period.

"First period we were a little bit rusty but we got it back… We were good defensively, played a really good game down low in their zone, so we've got to keep it going on Friday," said Wells.

Early in the second, a shot on goal from the Bold was caught mid-air by the Golden Hawks, before Duda took a strong shot towards the Golden Hawks goal. The sound of the slap echoed around the MAC.

Halfway through the second period called for a Bold power play due to the Golden Hawks having too many players on the ice.

The Bold were unable to score on the power play, but still led the game. With three minutes to go in the second period, the Bold led the number of shots on goal 30-10.

A tussle between Moscow native Daniil Grigorev and a Golden Hawks player broke out, closing out the scoreless and tied second period 1-1.

At the 25 second mark of the third, Duda found the back of the net to score his first career OUA playoff goal on a power play, assisted by Bollers and Playfair, giving the Bold the upper hand. 

"[Duda's] arguably the best player, if not one of the best players, on the ice and you really see as he's gotten more comfortable. I think his game's really starting to take off," said the head coach. "He's been tremendous at home," added Duco.

Quickly after, the Golden Hawks came back to even out the score, but luck wasn't on their side. Holding their breath, the goal was recalled, fortunately for the home team.

Both teams played the following minutes with strong offence and defence. Bollers went on to net a pair. He would be the one to end the night's scoring on an empty net.

With a strong veteran team, this postseason is the last dance for many seniors. The squad will lace up to play their final stretch of hockey with an emphasis on locker room experience.

"We've got a tremendous group of guys who've had special careers here at Ryerson/TMU in their tenure. I think that experience that we have in the locker room is what can elevate us in these tight hockey games when the margins are so small and the margin for error is zero," said Duco.

The team celebrated a first playoff win in style at the MAC. 

"There's been a buzz, for sure. I think the last second half we've been really good as a group and we're trying to carry into the playoffs and do something special as a group," said Bollers.

The team will head to Waterloo for a Friday night rematch. The blue and gold hope to repeat their win which will punch them a ticket to the semifinals and will be saved from a Sunday game.

Puck drop on February 23 is set for 7 p.m.

"Shout out to our coach, he drew up a play between periods and we executed. It was fantastic, we've just got to take it to them on Friday," added Bollers.
 
Print Friendly Version