The Waterloo Warriors took to home ice Oct. 16 to face off against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, dominating them 4-1 in a match that shows the capabilities of the new hockey squad put together by coach Brian Bourque. </p>
Both teams were unable to score in the first period; the teams tested their rival’s goalies but weren’t able to break the deadlock. The Warriors outshot the Blues 24-6 in the first period.
The second period was dominated by the Warriors, who scored three goals in quick succession. Second-year forward Mitch Elliot would give the Warriors their first goal of the night early in the second period. A pass by UW’s Andrew Smith to Riley Sonnenburg 44 seconds later resulted in another goal for the Warriors, giving them a 2-0 advantage. Later in the period, Elliot would challenge the Blues’ goalie once again in a breakaway in which the Warriors scored their third goal of the night, making it 3-0 for the Warriors.
But the Warriors weren’t done for the night. Early in the third period, a play by Colin Behenna and Steven Silas would result in another goal for UW, giving them a four-goal lead, making it impossible for the U of T Blues to attempt a comeback. U of T’s Matt Campagna would deny the Warriors a shutout victory by scoring a goal late in the third period. The third period was full of chippy play by both teams: the Blues, being frustrated to add points, were taunting the Warriors in order to get the man advantage. Seven different players were given 10-minute misconduct penalties, with a total of 86 penalty minutes given in total.
Fourth-year goalie Chris Hurry made 32 saves that night, securing the Warriors victory.
The Warriors took on the Guelph Gryphons the next day, unfortunately losing in a 1-0 game at the Gryphons home opener.
In off-ice news, Warriors head coach Brian Bourque has been named as general manager and associate coach for Team Canada’s entry in the 2017 Winter Universiade in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Joining Bourque will be UW’s equipment manager Trevor Black, who will serve as Team Canada’s equipment manager for the games. Bourque will join head coach Brett Gibson from Queen’s University and assistants Marty Johnson from Carleton University and Craig Duncanson from Laurentian University to make up Canada’s coaching staff, which will lead a team made up of OUA players in 2017.
