TORONTO (January 16, 2010) – In a tightly contested affair with a playoff-like atmosphere, the Queen's Gaels came up short against the Toronto Varsity Blues, falling 4-3 on Saturday night in Toronto.

The Varsity Blues would get on the board first as Paul Dupont beat Gaels goalie Steele De Fazio of Georgetown, Ont., midway through the opening frame. However, the Gaels would even the score before the period was out with a late powerplay marker. Ben Munroe of Kingston, Ont., converted for his second of the season and despite being outshot 14-8, Queen's headed to the second period tied at one.

Toronto would continue to control play in middle stanza but it was the Gaels who would find the back of the net first. Payton Liske of Welland, Ont., scored his tenth of the season on a powerplay to put Queen's in front 2-1.

The Varsity Blues would keep up the pressure and were rewarded with a pair of goals to regain the lead before the end of the frame. First, Robert Kay converted on a powerplay before Joe Rand but Toronto in front.

The back and forth game would continue in the third as the Gaels evened the score once again and again, it was Liske providing the offence. A nice setup by Brendan Bureau of Amherstview, Ont., allowed the rookie forward to find the back of the net for the 11th time this season and tie the game at three.

But the Varsity Blues take the lead for good just three minutes later as defenceman Ed Snetsinger scored on a powerplay and earn his team a victory.

The loss drops the Gaels to 11-9-1 on the year while Toronto improves to 10-7-3. The win also moves Toronto into a tie with Queen's in the OUA East standings.

Queen's will be back on the ice this Wednesday when they travel across town to take on their rivals, the RMC Paladins. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm.