TORONTO—The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's hockey team lost 8-4 to the University of WIndsor Lancers in a physical game on Saturday afternoon at Mattamy Home Ice.

The Bold returned to home ice after a successful road trip where they dominated both offensively and defensively. The results of this game were not what the Bold had hoped for.

In the first period, the Bold started off a bit slow. Right out of the gate they didn't execute the speed that has been a theme throughout the season so far. 

With a penalty called against the Bold, the Lancers capitalized almost immediately with the man advantage and put the first goal on the scoreboard for this match-up. Not executing on the penalty kill is a change for the Bold where they were two for two on the penalty kill in their previous game and five for five in the game before that.

There was a noticeable difference in the first period compared to the second and third.

"I thought we came out sluggish," said Head Coach Johnny Duco. "Obviously some undisciplined stick penalties that resulted in immediate goals in the back of our net. We expect our penalty kill to be sharp and it wasn't and I think they were able to capitalize on some momentum in the first."

In the middle frame, Brock Mcleod found himself in the penalty box with a high-sticking call. The Lancers scored once again on the powerplay and followed with another goal two minutes later. The Bold found themselves down by 3-0.

However, the Bold pushed forward and Liam Ross—assisted by Mitch Lafay and Chase Lefebvre—found the back of the net from just past the blue line, putting the Bold on the scoreboard. But 20 seconds later, the Lancers answered with a goal leaving the Bold back at a three-goal deficit.

With six minutes left in the second period, the Lancers scored again, causing Kai Edmonds to be pulled in favour of Ryan Dugas.

In addition to the goalie switch, the lineup had some other noticeable changes. Key players like Carter MacAdams, Ian Martin, and Jaden Raad were not on the ice tonight. The missing players impacted the overall rhythm of today's game and it became a lesson for the players—who are not normally on the ice—to step up.

"We feel like we are missing seven players who would be in the lineup and would be contributing to our success," said Duco. "There's been opportunities here the last few games with the injuries for some people to step up and jump in and play a role that they've been desperately wanting to play, and unfortunately for them and for us, they haven't been able to step up and elevate their game and take advantage of the opportunities that are being given to them."

The second period was the best in terms of goals for the Bold as Ross's goal was followed later in the period with Lefebvre getting a power play goal. Following that goal,  a one-on-one situation left Adam O'Marra coming face-to-face with the goalie and ending it with his first-ever OUA career goal.

Therefore despite the period ending 6-3 with the Lancers in the lead, the Bold had some big moments.

In the final period the Bold tried to turn things around as Gavin Grundner scored a shorthanded goal closing the gap, but despite the effort the Lancers once again answered with another goal. 

This was a common theme throughout this game, the Bold would score, but not long after the Lancers' would follow suit. The game of catch-up became more and more difficult as the game progressed.

"It's a close game and anything can happen," said Duco. "We feel confident in our group, but we came out in that second period and eight goals total back and forth. It just felt like every time we would punch, they would immediately punch right back and get another one and it took the wind out of our sails."

The Bold will look to bounce back as they play the Lakehead University Thunderwolves on Friday Nov. 7. Fans can come and enjoy the game for free with their OneCard.