By Noah Curitti

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s hockey team earned its first win of the season on Thursday night, defeating the Queen’s University Gaels with a final score of 6-5 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).

The highly anticipated homecoming game brought plenty of energy, with Bold fans creating an electric atmosphere throughout the night. The home side delivered a spectacular comeback win, down as many as three goals, to secure the victory and send the Bold fans home happy. 

“It was a lot of fun, a great atmosphere. Anytime we can showcase our brand of hockey to the student population, I think that’s awesome. It was a great show tonight,” said Bold head coach Johnny Duco. 

The first period showed two teams fired out of a cannon, with physicality at an all-time high. Queen’s fourth-year forward Cameron Tolnai opened the scoring, but TMU responded quickly with a goal of their own, as fifth-year captain Connor Bowie tied the score in his final homecoming game.

“It was great to get that goal to get the year started, an awesome way to cap things off,” said Bowie. 

Queen’s continued their push, creating chances that paid off. They scored two more goals in a matter of minutes, with second-year forwards Sebbie Johnson and Colin Holmes leading the onslaught. Holmes swiftly doubled his efforts before multiple fights broke out. None would change the score before the period’s end. 

 “I don’t think we expected it to be that physical. Queen’s is a physical team, but we didn’t expect that type of scrum vibe in a league where you can’t fight,” said Bowie

Physical and proactive, TMU’s hard work would pay off with second-year forward Carter MacAdams scoring off a rebound. The Bold would convert again this time as second-year forward Ryan Cooper cut the Gaels’ lead to one. 

Passive defending meant Queen’s extended their lead as Johnson scored his second goal of the night. TMU would respond immediately with third-year defender Joseph Ianniello firing a long-range shot into the net, notching the ninth goal of the night. TMU went into the break down by one goal.  

“We knew they [Queen’s] played three games down in Quebec last weekend, so they’re up to speed. They were ready to play,” said Duco. 

TMU started the final period on the power play, as a slashing call on Queen’s ended the second frame. Nothing would come of it, but minutes later TMU tied the  score off of a rebound, put in by third-year forward Slava Melikov.   

TMU kept momentum with the crowd behind them, but Queen’s remained strong defensively. In an odd-man rush, the Gaels almost regained their lead, but the shot smacked off the crossbar. 

Catching TMU off guard, a breakaway was on, led by fifth-year defender Jack Duff. But a huge save by first-year goalie Mason Beaupit kept the game level. 

The deadlock would finally break with an agile fakeout goal scored by first-year defenceman Carson Lloyd. TMU led for the first time in the game with five minutes to play, completing a comeback after initially falling behind by three. 

“The guys really wanted it badly, and I was fortunate to be in a spot where I could do something, and it went in,” said Lloyd. 

The game remained physical with two minutes left, as TMU clung to their one-goal advantage. Queen’s emptied their net in favour of another attacker, but to no avail. 

“We have such a hardworking team, such a mature team. We knew we had a chance and we took it. That’s what good teams do,” said Lloyd. 

It was a successful night both on and off the ice for the Bold, who had to work hard for their win, remaining persistent and faithful on the bench and the bleachers. They battled through a competitive game and stayed composed when it mattered most, starting their season off in winning form. 

“We want to get out to a better start, be ready to start on time, and allow our forecheck to dictate the pace of the game early and often. We feel that when we do that, we’re a really difficult team to play against,” said Duco. 

UP NEXT: The Bold will travel to Oshawa, Ont., where they will face the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Sept. 19. Puck-drop is set for 7 p.m.