UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO MEN'S ICE-HOCKEY

Toronto Varsity Blues - 5,  Queen's University Golden Gaels - 1

The final game in the best of three to determine the team to advance to the final four of the Queen's Cup Tournament in the OUA had all the signs of a tense match. Varsity Blues took the first game in a tightly checked match 1-0, while Queen's on home ice also won a hard fought game at 2-0.

It took less than a minute for the Blues to set the pace with a quick goal by Steve Hoar assisted by Jeff Todd and Brandon Barbowski. At the middle point in the period Scott Johnson found the net in a scramble in front of the Golden Gael's goalie Matt Kenney, assisted by Steve Hoar and Ian Malcolm. 

The second period saw a veritable flood gate of three unanswered goals, as the Blues dominated in every department of the game. Mark Hynes hit the back of the net on a slap shot from the point assisted by Scott Johnson and Steve Hoar. Then four minutes later George Trifon slapped in a fast shot after skating  at high speed, assisted by Mark Hynes and Tyler Middlebrook. Perhaps the finest goal of the game came from defenseman, Wes Booker, on a classic slap shot from the point. He was setup nicely  by rookies Frank Pallotta and Andrew Smale. 

The third period saw the only Golden Gael's goal after a bit of careless defense on the part of the Blues as Mark Norman shot the puck past Jamie Bruno to spoil his shutout with eleven minutes left in the game. Significantly, the Varsity Blues successfully fought off a span of 43 seconds with two men short, and they were able to clinch their berth in the Queen's Cup outshooting their opponents 30-13. Mark Hynes was chosen as player of the game on the strength of his goal, one assist and good defensive play, although his vocal and personal fan club at Varsity Arena may very well have influenced this selection  over Steve Hoar who had one goal and two assists to really get things rolling in the game!

With this victory the Varsity Blues will meet the highly talented  Patriotes of Trois Rivieres as they did a year ago. Lakehead's surprising victory over the nationally 2nd ranked Western means they will face York who outhustled Laurier 5-0 to take their best of three series tonight as well. If the Blues outplay the Patriotes as they did in their last match on February 8th, then we will see them at the National Championships at the University of New Brunswick for the first time in 10 years. Carpe Diem!

Michael Kolarcik