By Peter Ash
Led by Mathew Santos’ hat-trick, the Ryerson Rams men’s hockey team dominated in their first game of the regular season, defeating the Waterloo Warriors 10-1 on Wednesday night.
The Rams carried their strong preseason play into the regular season and it showed early on, as the team didn’t waste any time jumping on the Warriors’ defensive lines. Rams head coach Johnny Duco pointed out that it was something that could truly benefit the Rams this season.
“If we can bring a strong competitive level and we execute our game plan, we’re going to be one tough team to beat,” he said.
It wouldn’t take long for Ryerson to get on the board in the opening frame, as Rams winger Matt Mistele scored on a breakaway to give his team a 1-0 lead in the early seconds of the game.
Only minutes later, the home team struck again. This time, it would be Mathew Santos who’d score, netting his first of three goals in his first ever OUA game to boost the lead to two.
From that point on, Ryerson continued their onslaught, as goals from Cavin Leth, Vince Figliomeni, Patrick Fellows and Mitchell Skapski pushed the lead to 6-0 by the end of the first period.
Despite his team’s fantastic performance, Santos reiterated that looking forward is what mostly matters for the group.
“This isn’t the type of game we’re gonna have all of the time,” Santos said. “So, we’re going to have to start from scratch again, build a plan and work towards it.”
The Rams were in cruise control for the next two periods, using their dynamic speed to force the Warriors into playing the blue line. Additional goals from Gregory DiTomaso, star defenceman Alex Basso and Santos eventually gave Ryerson a 9-0 lead.
Waterloo’s only goal would come from forward Kenny Turner, who scored in the dying seconds of the second period. Rams defender Jared Walsh added the 10th and final goal in the middle of the third.
“(Attacking) is more of a strength for our group,” Duco said. “We got a big, strong, fast group of forwards and if were able to get the speed off our attack and gets pucks behind their (defence), we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”
UP NEXT: The Rams will look to build on their dominant win when they take on the Guelph Gryphons at Gryphon Centre Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
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