TORONTO—The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men's hockey team earned a hard-fought 2-1 overtime win over the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.
The opening frame set the tone with speed and physicality from the Bold, which was matched by the Golden Hawks. Penalties called on both sides less than a minute apart gave each team an early power-play opportunity, but neither side was able to capitalize.
TMU generated the bulk of the chances in the first half of the period, with Ian Martin producing a couple of solid attempts as the Bold built a 10-6 edge in shots.
Despite clean puck movement and sustained pressure in the offensive zone, Laurier's defence was often in the right place at the right time, intercepting passing lanes and clearing rebounds before the Bold could convert.
Late in the frame, TMU went back on the power play and came within inches of opening the scoring. Close calls from Chase Lefebvre and Marko Djordjevic had Djordjevic celebrating early as a puck appeared to cross the line, but it stayed out.
The opening frame ended scoreless, with the Bold leading 13-7 in shots.
"Tonight, at times, we didn't take very good care of the puck and it ended up in odd-man rushes and chances against us," said head coach Johnny Duco. "We need to have better decision-making around the net and find ways to put pucks in the back of the net when we get early opportunities. It all comes back to a high level of urgency offensively and defensively, in all three zones, from everybody."
Laurier pushed back in the second period, narrowing the shot gap and increasing offensive pressure. Skating 4-on-4 following coincidental penalties, the Golden Hawks opened the scoring. Off a turnover, Laurier maneuvered around the Bold defence to score the first goal of the night.
The Bold headed into the third period trailing by one but still ahead in shots on goal, 25-21.
The final period saw the Bold ramp up the urgency, playing physically and firing shots from all angles to hold the Golden Hawks at bay and push for the equalizer.
With under two minutes remaining, Kai Edmonds was pulled in a final attempt to tie the game, adding an extra attacker. Hunter Donohoe set up the play, sending the puck to Joseph Ianniello for a one-timer. Off the rebound, Marko Djordjevic tracked the puck behind the net, spun back toward the front, and took a shot that bounced off the back of Malboeuf and into the net, forcing overtime.
"He's been incredible since he got here," said Duco of Djordjevic. "His determination and hard work have made him extremely confident. It doesn't happen by accident — he's very driven, very focused, and extremely hardworking, and he's reaping the benefits."
Edmonds was a standout throughout the period, making several crucial acrobatic saves to send his team into overtime.
"There's no way we were leaving here with even a point if it weren't for Kai," said Duco.
Overtime turned into a goaltending duel, with both teams trading chances, but the battle was ultimately won by the Bold.
The breakthrough came when Djordjevic took control of the puck in the defensive zone, carried it through the neutral zone, and cut wide around the Golden Hawks defence. Driving hard to the crease, he slipped a backhand past Malboeuf from the top of the blue paint to seal the overtime winner.
"I'm really happy," said Djordjevic. "I'm happy for my team. I'm happy for myself."
Djordjevic also spoke about finding his place on the team and how it has led to his success.
"I worked hard every day, came to practice, and tried to get better," he said. "It's just about hard work — if you want something and you work hard, you're going to get it."
The victory lifted the Bold past Laurier — who they were tied with for second — in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West standings, moving TMU ahead of the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues into first place.
The Bold will look to carry that momentum forward against the Varsity Blues.
"We have to refocus, fuel our bodies, get a good sleep, and show up tomorrow ready to do the same thing," said Djordjevic.
Up next, the Bold travel across town to face the Varsity Blues on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Fans can watch the game on OUA.tv.
