By Ethan Clarke

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s hockey team came into their Saturday afternoon game against the University of Waterloo Warriors having historically played well against them, winning their last six games. Despite this previous success, the Bold were unable to continue that run going into today’s game. 

TMU got off to a shaky start, taking four penalties in the opening period and facing heavy offensive pressure from Waterloo. The Warriors capitalized late in the frame when first-year forward Jaxson Murray, positioned between the red circles, fed a pass to third-year forward Nate Bierd, who sniped it top corner to open the scoring.

Despite conceding late in the first, TMU responded with energy to start the second. The Bold came out blazing, with a dangerous chance in the slot from second-year forward Spencer Shugrue that just missed the mark. TMU kept the pressure on, eventually capitalizing on the power play. A slick pass from first-year forward Gavin Grundner set up fourth-year forward Ian Martin in the slot, where he buried his first goal of the season to tie the game at one.

The Bold maintained control of the game for most of the second, not allowing the Warriors a shot on goal until nine minutes into the period.

TMU went on the power play six minutes into the second, where Martin scored his second of the game after Grundner took the puck in deep on a breakaway, setting up Martin for the finish.

Waterloo’s offence looked dormant for much of the frame, picking up some steam in the latter half with a couple of power plays, producing some great chances but fourth-year Ryan Dugas shut the door.

TMU started the third period on a five-on-three and after a couple of good chances, nothing came out of it. This proved to be the theme of the game. 

“It’s just a lack of confidence. We seem to be making the wrong plays at the wrong times. And I think anytime the power play is struggling, you can simplify it, get shots, get traffic, find a way to simplify your game,” said head coach Johnny Duco. “I think that’s something we’re going to have to look to do certainly, simplify it because you got to score on five on threes, but if you don’t score…you usually lose.”

The game grew physical the longer it progressed, with big hits at centre ice and in the corners. 

Eight minutes into the third period, second-year Waterloo forward Adam Grein scores from a pass behind the net from first-year forward Max Monette to tie the game, adding to the Warriors’ momentum.

After some high-threatening chances from TMU in the third, including a breakaway, they just could not get anything past second-year Waterloo goaltender Matt Onuska.

With three minutes to go, a near identical play from their second goal gives Waterloo the lead—a pass from behind the red line from third-year forward Emmet Pierce to third-year forward Cole Fraser. 

An empty-netter by Pierce would seal the game for Waterloo.

Duco mentioned the team’s offensive woes and room for improvement. 

“We continue to make mistakes that cost us, Outside of a few guys…we don’t have much going right now…but I think far from an ideal performance…we got a lot of work to do. I think we talked about [how] maybe we’re not as good as we think we are.”

UP NEXT: The Bold will look to get their first win of the season when they take on the Western University Mustangs at the MAC next Friday. Puck-drop is set for 6:15 p.m.