TORONTO - The TMU Bold men's hockey team sent its ten seniors off with a victory on senior night. Saturday's 5-2 win over the Guelph Gryphons was the Bold's seventh in their last eight games, an impressive stretch for a playoff bound TMU side.

The first period was a mixed bag for the Bold. They seemed to control the general pace of play, but were outshot by Guelph 12-11 throughout the period and found themselves trapped inside their defensive zone for what seemed to be long stretches. The Gryphons, battling for one of the OUA's last playoff spots, got on the board first at 8:37 of the opening frame. However, Ian Martin would equalize the score just minutes later, on a beautiful feed from Ryan Wells for his sixth goal of the season.

"It was a really good pass by Wellsy in front," said Martin. "Good patience by him."

The goal did not ignite the Bold's play as TMU struggled to connect on breakout passes, often finding themselves chasing down Gryphon forwards following neutral zone turnovers. Guelph would eventually capitalize on their odd man rush opportunities with a shot from the high slot beating Ryan Dugas, making his sixth start of the campaign. 

"Coming off a big, emotional win against a cross town rival we feared we maybe would come out a little sluggish," said head coach Johnny Duco. "(This year) as the game's gone on we slowly start to take over."

That takeover began in the second. The Gryphons had an early power play to open the period but Dugas came up big on the penalty kill, with a spectacular glove save capping a flurry of chances for Guelph. Overall, however, the Bold's second period was one of their best throughout this stretch of hot play. Kyle Bollers, Daniil Grigorev and Artem Duda each generated high danger chances within close proximity, but were unable to finish. The Gryphons' lead would remain 2-1 until 3:07 remaining, when a great pass by Elijah Roberts found Will Portokalis in the slot to bring the score level. It capped a period where the Bold dominated the flow of the game, outshooting Guelph 18-11 in the frame.

"Once we get working down low, cycling pucks I think we're able to get some offence," said Roberts of his line's work. "All three of us are playing with confidence."

The teams would trade power play opportunities to begin the final period as they looked to break the deadlock. Both penalty kills would be up to the task, with the game opening back up at even strength. The physicality was also increased with both sides making sure to finish their checks. 

This mentality would come back to bite the Gryphons after a hit from behind put the Bold back on the power play. Chris Playfair would take advantage of a scrum in front of the Guelph netminder to record his sixth of the year and give the Bold their first lead of the contest.

As time wound down the Bold continued to exert pressure on Guelph, until Ian Martin sealed the win with his second goal of the night, a nifty backhand finished in tight to stretch the Bold lead to 4-2. Artem Duda would add an empty net goal to bring the score to its final line of 5-2.

The Bold wrap up their regular season against UQTR on February 9 before playoffs begin.