The Varsity Blues men’s hockey team hosted the Brock Badgers Saturday night, capping off a double-header at Varsity Arena. Following a tough 7-1 loss at the hands of the Windsor Lancers the previous night, the Blues looked to bounce back and hold on to fifth place in the competitive Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division. Alas, the Blues never recovered from a tough first period, losing 5-3.
The Blues seemed to lack their trademark intensity in the opening minutes, with the Badgers scoring goals three and seven minutes into the contest, respectively. On both plays, Blues goaltender Brett Willows made several saves before Brock forwards finally put home the puck.
Toronto picked up the play in the latter stages of the frame, but the Badgers scored again with a minute to play. Willows made a nice first save, but the rebound trickled behind him, and star forward Michael Markovic was unable to control the puck as it bounced across the line.
A painful first period behind them, the Blues outworked and outplayed their opponents in the opening minutes of the second frame. They were rewarded with two goals — one by sniper Jeff Brown, and one by two-way forward Tyler von Engelbrechten — in the first eight minutes of the second frame, cutting the Brock lead to one.
The highlight of the period, however, was a hit by fan favourite Paul Van De Velde on Badgers defender Thomas Welsh along the near boards. It was undoubtedly the hit of the year so far, and brought the Varsity Arena faithful to their feet. Unfortunately, the jubilation soon subsided, as Brock scored a power play goal with five minutes to play to again widen the margin to two goals.
The Blues came out flying in the third period, playing their characteristic run-and-gun style of hockey. It paid dividends, as star defenseman Lane Werbowski scored with just over eight minutes left to bring the Blues within a goal. Werbowski backhanded a rebound through both his and Badgers goaltender Real Cormier’s legs for the goal.
Unfortunately, that was as close as the Blues would come — with Cormier making several great stops in the final minutes and the Badgers adding an empty-netter in the final minute.
The first period aside, the Blues played well. But playing in the highly competitive OUA West division means that they need to play a full sixty minutes in each of their final five games if they hope to make the playoffs. “… There are definitely some positives to draw on, but we can only draw on positives so long until we turn this ship around,” says Willows.
