TORONTO – The Toronto Metropolitan Bold (TMU) men's hockey team played their final regular-season game against the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday, February 15. 

The Bold honoured their graduating seniors with their families to start the game, and for many, this was a full circle moment to wrap up the last four years. 

"it feels like yesterday that I was a first-year watching fifteen seniors go up there and thinking that it's a light year away but it flies by, and I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish, but we're hungry for more," said Captain Chris Playfair

Just like Playfair, his fellow teammate Kevin Gursoy is also going to remember these past five years as some of his best. 

"Last year I had those emotions going in just because I didn't know for sure if I was gonna come back or not. But this year I'm looking forward to the next little stretch here and getting into playoffs and trying to improve," said Gursoy. 

In the first period, Aleks Dimovski was on fire as he raced towards the net halfway and put the Bold up by one. 

"He's been buzzing out there and making plays and fast and feisty and is someone who we certainly expect to elevate their game this time of year, as a veteran player who's been a part of two teams that have gone to the national championships," said Head Coach Johnny Duco.

Both teams played cleanly for the rest of the period, and the Bold went into the dressing room with the lead. 

Going into the second period, the game slipped from the Bold as the Lakers scored the tying goal halfway through the period. 

The Bold gave up a few turnovers allowing for the Lakers to take over the game. In the third, the Lakers were able to break the tie and take the lead. 

The Bold attempted to equalize, but an empty netter provided the nail in the coffin. Going forward the Bold are dialed in and focused on the playoff run as they finish the season as the top seed. 

"??I think we just need everyone pulling in the same direction. I think we need to execute at a very high level, but it comes down to our work ethic," said Duco.

Having secured the number one seed in the OUA West, the Bold will have a bye for the first round of the playoffs and will play in the quarterfinals, set to take place between February 26-March 2, 2025.