(12/10/24) - Toronto, ON.  In their first away game of the regular season, the Queen's Men's Hockey team reign victorious in their season so far as they defend their win streak against the UofT Varsity Blues at their home opener on Saturday evening.  Leaving the ice with a 5-2 victory, the Gaels demonstrated they are a tough contender in the OUA league.  

The men started off the first period strong with multiple scoring attempts, though the Varsity Blues proved to be tough competition as they attempt at the Gaels net multiple times.  After a holding penalty against the Gaels, the boys maintain control of the power play, not granting the Blues a chance at taking the lead first.  10 minutes later, the Gaels get the chance at a power play themselves after a charging penalty against the Blues.  

The Gaels employed pressure on the Blues side of the ice awarding them a goal by the stick of no. 20 Ethan Larmand (Arts and Sciences), assisted by no. 12 Liam Tanner (Kinesiology and Health Studies) and no. 21 Ante Zlomislic (Applied Sciences), in the 16th minute, allowing the Gaels to add to the scoreboard first.  Disorganization in the Blues defensive line works to the Gaels favour as Larmand's shot is tapped into the net by the opponents stick.

Just short of two minutes later, Larmand scores the Gaels a second goal, assisted by Tanner and no. 44 Lucas Peric (Economics), as UofT's defense continues to struggle in positions where it matters.

The second period opens with the Gaels presenting a dominant attack on the Blues, controlling puck possession and keeping pressure on the oppositions offensive lines.  The Gaels won the average of face-offs between the two teams throughout the game.  Not leaving much room for the Blues to add to their home scoreboard, no. 14 Ian Lemieux (Arts and Sciences) scores his second goal of the season to make the lead a comfortable 3-0.  

With just nine minutes left in the second, Larmand completes a hat-trick during a Gaels power play, scoring his fourth goal of the season, assisted by no. 13 Sam Marburg (Arts and Sciences) and Peric.  The Gaels have demonstrated to be extremely efficient on the power play, moving the puck around and capitalizing on the chances they make for themselves. 

Though the Gaels now sit with a confident 4-0 lead over the Blues, this did not diminish their fight, as two goals are scored by the Blues in the back end of the second period.  

The third period began with the Blues looking quite dominant, changing their attack in faceoffs and maintaining puck possession on Gaels territory.  Looking to boost their lead back up to a comfortable difference, the Gaels fight off multiple shot attempts by the Blues while attempting their own.  The Gaels's offensive and defensive lineup demonstrated a good synchrony in tonight's game, working together to dominate the Blues on the ice.  

With less than five minutes left in the third, Marburg capitalizes on a wide open Blues goalie and scores the goal to solidify the game for the Gaels, making the score 5-2.  

The Gaels leave Toronto undefeated for their season with a four game win streak which has enlisted them at the top of the OUA standings.  The Gaels Men's Hockey team has proven themselves to be an offensive and defensive force, and they hope to continue the momentum as we get into the thick of the season.  

Catch the Gaels Friday, October 18th, at their home ice of Memorial Centre Arena in Kingston, ON., where they will take on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks.