MHKY | Voyageurs Top Varsity Blues 4-2
November 13, 2016
On Sunday afternoon, the Voyageurs men's hockey team bested the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 4-2 en route to their fifth victory of the season.
The Voyageurs, eager to get back into the win column after a loss on Saturday, wasted little time jumping out to an early lead. Just 13 seconds into the game, Chris Smith forced a turnover in the U of T zone and banked a pass off the skate of Nick Esposto to give the Vees a 1-0 lead. Nicolas Dionne also had an assist on the play.
The Varsity Blues would eventually answer in the first period, when Russell Turner one-timed a shot over the glove of Charlie Millen on the powerplay at 14:07.
It was not long before the Vees reclaimed the lead, however, when Vincent Llorca took a pass from Brent Pedersen on a shorthanded rush and beat U of T goalie Evan Johnson on the blocker side. Dionne again picked up the secondary assist on the goal. The first period ended with the Voyageurs up 2-1.
The Vees were back on the shorthanded attack in the second period when Chris Smith, on a great solo effort, found himself alone on Johnson and roofed a backhand into the top corner at 9:12.
The Varsity Blues would again cut the two goal deficit back to one when Turner scored his second of the afternoon at 15:08.
That would be as close as Toronto would get, however, and Richard Therrien sealed the deal with an empty net goal in the last minute of the third period, with an assist going to Dylan Fitze.
Charlie Millen, who has been stellar early in the season, made 29 saves to back the Voyageurs in Sunday's win.
The Voyageurs are back in action next weekend when they host the Carleton Ravens (Friday, 7:35pm) and RMC Paladins (Saturday, 7:35pm) at Countryside Arena.
Riley Brooks
Sports Writer