TMU Athletics & Recreation

WATERLOO, Ont. — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold fell 4-2 to the Waterloo Warriors in a physical matchup, finishing off their road trip at the Columbia Ice Field with a 1-3-0 record heading home. 

Coming into the game, head coach Johnny Duco stressed one word: urgency. Following a 5-3 loss the previous night against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, the Bold looked to put the setback behind them and embrace a fresh start.

TMU came out with speed in the first period, gelling early as a cohesive unit with sharp execution. The Bold earned a power play within the first two minutes to establish early momentum. Off a crisp pass from Joseph Ianniello, Carson Lloyd fired a dangerous shot through traffic, but Waterloo netminder Matt Onuska made a reach save to deny the chance.

A delay-of-game penalty against the Bold put them on their first penalty kill, but it did little to halt their momentum. 

Following a battle along the boards in the Bold's defensive zone, the puck popped free to Crossley Stewart, who flung it up ice to Connor Bowie on the right wing. Upping the pace on the left lane, Gavin Grundner took a cross-ice pass from Bowie in the low slot and snapped a shot past Onuska before the goaltender could react, giving the Bold the lead on a shorthand goal.

Throughout the rest of the period, Waterloo sent high-danger threats Mason Beaupit's way, but the TMU goaltender stood tall, steering pucks clear and making big saves. 

The Bold went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead, while also edging the Warriors in shots on goal, 10-8.

The second period opened with heavy physicality and mutual determination. TMU earned an early 5-on-3 power-play opportunity, but despite high-grade chances from Ianniello, Daniil Grigorev, and Jack Rimmer, the Bold were unable to widen the gap. 

Shortly after, a Waterloo power play allowed the Warriors to equalize.

Physicality became the defining feature of the middle frame's second half. With five Warriors standing over 6'4", Waterloo used its size to push the Bold back. However, TMU matched the intensity with checks of their own, contributing to a constant chorus of thumping boards and rattling glass. Clean hits from Bowie and Lachlan Wells helped keep the Warriors at bay.

Waterloo continued to narrow the gap in shots, but Beaupit zipped side-to-side to ward off back-to-back rebound attempts and keep the score tied 1-1 heading into the third, with shots 23-21 in favour of TMU.

The final frame began as a race to break the deadlock, and Ianniello won it. A Warriors penalty gave the Bold their sixth and final power play of the night. In a rapid passing sequence that started with Bowie at the faceoff circle, moved to Grigorev, and found Ianniello, the defenceman skated in and picked the top right corner to put TMU back on top 2-1.

The lead was short-lived as the Warriors managed to tie the score once again shortly after. With under seven minutes remaining, both teams dialed up the pace in an eager back-and-forth rhythm marked by board battles and quick transition passes.

Waterloo ultimately got the better of the Bold late in the game, sealing a 4-2 victory with shots tied even at 37.

Up next, the Bold return home for their home opener against the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:15 p.m. Students can attend the game for free with their OneCard.