The Rams couldn’t find their scoring touch last night in game one of their Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoff series against the University of Toronto (U of T). They lost 2-1 on home ice.
The Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) was busy last night with both men’s basketball and hockey playing one floor apart.
But on this night hockey was the main attraction. Ryerson played game one of its first round, best-of-three OUA playoff series versus Toronto rivals U of T.
U of T had won both regular season meetings and last night was no different. Half way through the first period U of T’s Russell Turner would score to give the Varsity Blues the 1-0 lead.
The Rams responded less than one minute later when Mitch Gallant was able to equalize with the only goal that would get by U of T goalie Brett Willows on the night.
Turner would get another past Ryerson goalie Troy Passingham before the end of the first period. This gave a 2-1 lead to U of T that they would not relinquish.
Turner’s two goals were big for his team but the star on the night was Willows. He made 49 saves as the Rams shot pucks at him from everywhere. The relentless pressure by the Rams was not enough as Willows stood tall. As Rams head coach Graham Wise put it, “he stood on his head.”
Ryerson’s Passingham put up a good effort as well, stopping 32 of 34 shots.
It’s now win or go home for the Rams as game two is on Saturday night at U of T’s Varsity Arena at 7:30 p.m.
Writing, reading and watching sports is what I love to do. Being Sports editor for the Ryersonian was a great experience.
Connor graduated from the Ryerson School of Journalism in 2015.