Box Score TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's hockey team defeated the Western Mustangs 4-2, capturing their first win of the season.

The Bold stumbled a bit out of the gate this season, but turned it all around in today's game. They found rhythm in this game and reminded everyone what this team can bring to the ice.

The first period started a bit shaky for the Bold, beginning with a double minor penalty called for high-sticking. Initially, TMU held strong defensively. However, in the final minute of the penalty, the Mustangs snuck one past Edmonds in a battle of players in front of the net. 

The first 10 minutes featured misplaced pucks, players not in the right place at the right time and missed opportunities on the power play. Down halfway through the period, the Bold had no option but to turn up the heat. Although the first 10 minutes didn't go as planned, TMU did a lot of the right things in the second half of the opening frame.

In between periods,  Bold Head Coach Johnny Duco reiterated to the team that if they played the next 40 minutes like the way they played the last 10 minutes of the first period, they were going to be in a pretty good spot. 

"Knowing that we had that in the tank and that we were capable of taking it in the next 40 minutes, that's what we did," said Bold forward Will Portokalis.

The Bold ended the frame with no goals and the Mustangs ahead by one, but left with a burning fire to reignite their offence. 

The second period saw the Bold apply that mentality, demonstrating what they are capable of. Just over a minute into the period, a quick release shot from Chase Lefebvre gave the Bold their first goal of the night.

The next goal came five minutes later on the power play, where a slapshot from Carter MacAdams at the top of the right face off circle came flying towards the net and was tipped in by Ian Martin giving the Bold the lead.

MacAdams has had a great start to the season with one goal and three assists, but after the game he gave credit where it was due. 

"I'll give credit to the old guys for taking initiative and getting us going there and from there," said MacAdams.

The Bold continued to apply pressure to the Mustangs and on a 5-on-3, the Bold widened the goal gap to a two-goal lead. A pass from Will Portokalis led to Joseph Ianniello hitting a one-timer burying the puck deep into the back of the net.

The special teams this week have been a lot tighter. The decision to change players around or make any adjustments was put on hold as it is still early in the year.

"We didn't really need to hit the panic button," said Duco. "We chose to stick with them and believe in the guys who are in those spots and give them another crack at it and it paid off. The guys executed at a higher level."

Special teams will continue to make the difference. In tight games, scoring on the power play will create a much better chance for winning.

With a last minute goal in the second, Western closed the goal gap by one. However, Portokalis restored the two goal lead in the third period, with a shorthanded goal.

Hunter Donohoe dumped the puck into the Mustangs zone and on the carry up, Portokalis intercepted a one touch pass from a Western player and gained possession of the puck taking it straight to the net, dancing around the goalie and flicking the puck up and into the top right corner of the net.

"I just jumped the gun on it and it worked out for me and was pretty good," said Portokalis with a smile.

This is just the beginning for the Bold and they will be on the road for their next two games.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Duco. "We've had a good stint here at home and we are comfortable in our surroundings here and we know what we have to do moving forward, so now it is time to test our luck out on the road."

The next game will take place against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at Varsity Arena on Friday Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Fans can catch the game on OUA.tv.