TMU Athletics & Recreation

OTTAWA—The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold lost 8-1 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday evening. 

Entering the matchup, TMU would meet old friend and former player, Gaby Gareau. Gareau had previously played as a forward for four years for the Bold, graduating from the nursing program in April. The Ottawa native returned to her hometown a month later, joining the Gee-Gees as she completes her master's in nursing. 

Much like yesterday's game, the first period was evenly matched, with both teams trading possession early on. Ottawa would linger in the offensive zone, then TMU would move the puck out, forcing a retreat.

On the attack, the Bold did a great job of outnumbering the Gee-Gees to win puck battles, swarming around Ottawa's net as they tried to open the scoring. Forwards Jeevin Khehra and Katie Leroux worked together to tangle up Gee-Gee defenders, but eventually, icing was called, and play was reset. 

Rookie netminder Izzy Lane got her first-ever start between the pipes. Although it wasn't the start she imagined, the first-year played well, making 22 saves across three periods. 

It was now the Gee-Gees' turn to pressure in the offensive zone. Ottawa ripped a one-timer, and it was padded away swiftly to the boards by Lane. Both Bold and Gee-Gee players rushed over to take possession of the puck, and Ottawa would win the battle. 

Seeing an opportunity, Ottawa forward Alexa Pongo fired. In a series of unlucky events, the puck bounced just past Lane and over the goal line, putting the Gee-Gees on the board first. 

With Ottawa trying to run down the clock, the puck was pinned to the boards on the next faceoff. As the buzzer rang, the Bold walked off the ice down 1-0.

In the second period, the Gee-Gees piled it on. Despite an early tripping call that put TMU on the power play, the Bold were called for body-checking a minute in, creating a 4-on-4 opportunity. 

With Ottawa now on the power play and continuing to pressure, defender Nahvin Bal made a great play to intercept a pass. Now with possession, Bal passed the puck to forward Alizee LeBlanc. LeBlanc rushed down the ice, firing right into the chest of Ottawa's netminder.

Despite being shorthanded, the Bold were doing a great job at keeping the puck within the Gee-Gees' territory and pressuring the net. 

Fresh off the power play, Ottawa would steal the puck and rush up the ice. Defender Ella Humphrey made a shot from just past the faceoff circle, where it was deflected off the net post. Once again, luck was not on TMU's side. The puck then bounced off forward Naomi Morin and went into the net beyond Lane, doubling the Gee-Gees' lead.

Ottawa would then score two goals over the next 50 seconds.

Up 4-0, Ottawa scored again with five minutes remaining in the period, making it a 5-0 game. 

Looking for revenge, TMU came out hot in the third period. The Bold would win the opening faceoff, but Ottawa was right there, and the two teams battled in the neutral zone. Things got a bit hectic, so the Gee-Gees sent the puck up past their netminder to reset the play. 

Ottawa defender Ella Humphrey went to pass, but sent the puck right to forward Ava Caputo. Caputo had one chance, and she took it, quick-firing it right between the legs of the Gee-Gees' goalie, finally putting TMU on the board.

Not even a minute later, Ottawa scored once more, giving the Gee-Gees back their five-goal lead. 

Throughout the period, the Bold had three power-play opportunities on tripping, body-checking, and roughing calls. Unfortunately, the team just couldn't capitalize. 

Before the final buzzer rang, Ottawa would score two more times, bringing the final score to 8-1.

With tonight's loss, TMU is 0-5 against Ottawa. The Gee–Gees are also a fairly recent opponent for TMU, joining the OUA before the 2024-25 season after 20 years in the QSSF (now RESQ). 

Up next, the Bold head home to take on the Windsor Lancers on Thursday, Nov. 5. Puck drop is set for 6:15 p.m., and students can attend for free with their OneCards.