The seven-month wait is over.

The No. 9 men’s hockey team kicked off its season on Saturday with an exhibition match against the University of Waterloo. The Bulldogs, who started practice just eight days ago, lost 2–1 to the Warriors despite outshooting them 42 to 32. Antoine Laganiere ’13 scored the Elis’ only goal in the first period off an assist from Clinton Bourbonais ’14.

The Bulldogs lost eight seniors last spring, including starting goalie Ryan Rondeau ’11, who became Yale’s career leader in goal allowed average (2.37) and save percentage (.913) after his senior season. Jeff Maclolm ’13, Nick Maricic ’13 and newcomer Connor Wilson ’15 all minded the net for the Elis, blanking the Warriors on all five of their power plays.

The Bulldogs open the regular season next Friday at Hanover, N.H. in the Ivy Shootout against Princeton before taking on Dartmouth the next day.