TMU hosts action-packed U SPORTS Men’s Hockey National Championship
TMU Bold captain Chris Playfair, left, battles for the puck in the bronze medal match against McGill University on Sunday, March 17. (Photo: Curtis Martin)
The U SPORTS Men’s National Hockey Championship wrapped up on Sunday, March 17 in front of more than 1,000 cheering fans at Toronto Metropolitan University’s world-class Mattamy Athletic Centre and former Maple Leaf Gardens.
It was the first time in 27 years that the tournament was held in Toronto, with TMU hosting the elite, four-day tournament.
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) took victory in the final with a 4-0 win over the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).
Former NHL star Eric Lindros dropped the ceremonial puck in the final match.
Bold open with double-OT win
The TMU Bold opened the tournament on March 14 with an exciting 2-1 double overtime win over the Calgary Dinos. After finding their way to the bronze medal game, they lost a hard-fought battle 3-2 to McGill University.
Nick Asquini, Director, Sport Operations, TMU Athletics & Recreation, said the tournament was a “great success”.
“First we would like to congratulate the University of New Brunswick and the UNB Reds on their championship, and also on a historic U SPORTS hockey season,” he said.
“We're incredibly proud of both our men's hockey program and the dedicated team of staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly last week to make the event happen,” Asquini added. “This event showcased our TMU Bold men's hockey team as a premier program in the country that is on a course for continued and greater success. The event yet again shone a light on TMU and the Mattamy Athletic Centre as a destination venue for U SPORTS championship events.
Check out tournament highlights below:
TMU’s Kyle Bollers enters the arena in a spectacular introduction for the team’s opening match of the tournament on Thursday, March 14 against the Calgary Dinos. (Photo: Curtis Martin)
Above, TMU Bold players come out of a pre-game huddle before the bronze medal match on Sunday, March 17. (Photo: Jasmine Andrew)
Former NHL star Eric Lindros performs a ceremonial puck drop at the championship game on Sunday, March 17. He’s joined by his children and the captains of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (external link) (UQTR), left, and University of New Brunswick (UNB), right. (Photo: Emily Simonetta)
Players on the UNB Reds celebrate their championship win and hoist the David Johnston University Cup. (Photo: Curtis Martin)
TMU Bold fans packed the MAC to kick-off the tournament. (Photo: Kaitlyn LeBoutillier)
Jackson Doherty of the TMU Bold reacts to the team’s victory on Thursday, March 14. (Photo: Emily Simonetta)
Fans travelled from across the country for the TMU-hosted event. Above, a fan waves the New Brunswick flag at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. (Photo: Kaitlyn LeBoutillier)
TMU Bold’s Elijah Roberts, who co-hosts a podcast, Soul on Ice, high-fives his teammates at the consolation game on Sunday, March 17. (Photo: Kaitlyn LeBoutillier)
TMU Bold men’s hockey coach Johnny Duco is congratulated after the team’s double overtime win on Thursday, March 14. (Photo: Emily Simonetta)
Members of the top eight men’s hockey teams from across Canada joined the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Awards Ceremony Breakfast at TMU’s Mattamy Athletic Centre on Wednesday, March 13. (Photo: Kaitlyn LeBoutillier)