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
Slava Melikov celebrates winner vs UofT
Emily Simonetta
1
Toronto TOR
4
Winner TMU TMU
Toronto TOR
1
Final
4
TMU TMU
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Toronto TOR 0 1 0 1
TMU TMU 1 1 2 4

Game Recap: Hockey (M) | | Jay Greyvenstein

Bold Top Varsity Blues in Battle for OUA West Lead

TORONTO – In a matchup of the OUA West's top teams, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's hockey team dispatched cross-town rivals the University of Toronto Blues 4-1 on Saturday. The nationally ranked No. 10 Bold (13-9) now hold sole possession of first place in the division, while the Varsity Blues (12-9) maintain second.

"It was just about continuing to build off the things we've been doing," interim head coach MIke Fine said about the victory. "We've been playing good hockey lately, sticking together, playing as a team."

The early start, on Hockey Day in Canada, proved advantageous for the Bold. Ian Martin recorded his ninth goal of the season, cleaning up a Joseph Ianniello point shot just 1:42 into the contest. A major component of TMU's hot run of play, the Bold have now recorded six powerplay goals in their last four games.

"Special teams is a funny one," said Fine. "Sometimes you feel like you're generating chances, but you don't score and then at times where you feel like it's not the greatest, you find a way to put the puck in the net."
 
"I think right now they're just confident, they know what plays to look for."

The Varsity Blues found the equalizer early in the second period, with a bad turnover catching goalkeeper Ryan Dugas completely off-balance. Dugas recorded 21 saves on the 22 he faced in the contest.

The Bold lead was restored in the dying minutes of the second frame, as Slava Melikov redirected a Jaden Raad point shot for his fourth of the season. The go-ahead tally came just moments after a precarious penalty kill for TMU, during which Dugas and the rest of the special teams' unit was spectacular.

"When it gets like that, guys just step up, everybody's blocking shots," said Dugas.

"Kevin Gursoy is blocking shots," Dugas jokingly added. "You've never seen that in your life. That's a headline right there."

The Varsity Blues continued their onslaught in the third, on shot-blockers and goaltender alike, desperate for another equalizer. The physicality also ramped up in the third, opening opportunities, and counter-attacking chances for both sides. The Varsity Blues' comeback never materialized however, as the Bold locked down defensively. Kevin Gursoy and Will Portokalis added empty net tallies, for their eighth and sixth goals of the season, respectively.

"We never think that the job's done," concluded Fine. "We've got goals that we're aiming for, so we just work at it every single day."

The Bold are back in action on January 31st, following a bye week, taking on the York Lions at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. TMU students receive free admission with their OneCard. Catch all home games streaming on OUA.tv.
Print Friendly Version