Statistically speaking, the Ryerson Rams have the most potent offense in the OUA West division. Unfortunately, the Waterloo Warriors found out first-hand just how potent it can be.

The Rams exploded for four first-period goals, and six unanswered tallies through the first half of the game, as they skated to an 8-3 victory over the visiting Warriors on Thursday night in Toronto.

Daniel Clairmont scored twice for the host Rams, who improved to a division-leading 16-4-1 on the season. Aaron Armstrong added a gorgeous shorthanded goal and three helpers, while Marcus Hinds chipped in with three points of his own.

It was a forgettable night for the Warriors, who got goals from Cole Murphy (Cole Harbour), Stephen Silas (Georgetown), and Cam Nicoll (Loretto). Waterloo pushed back in the game's second half, cutting the lead to 6-3 at one point early in the third, but they couldn't complete a miracle comeback.

Mike Morrison (Hamilton) took the loss for the Warriors, who fell to 7-11-3 on the season. Morrison made five stops on nine shots before being replaced at the start of the second period by Chris Hurry (Summerland), who turned aside 17 shots. Ryerson's Charlie Graham returned from injury, and while his program-record shutout streak was snapped, Graham earned the victory with 31 stops.

The Rams seized early control of the game on special teams, as they scored during the game's first three man-advantages – Clairmont and Josh Sterk scored power play markers, while Armstrong added a highlight-reel shorthanded goal on Waterloo's first power play of the evening, making it 3-0 Ryerson before the game was 15 minutes old. Clairmont scored his second of the night off an offensive zone draw in the closing seconds of the period, making it 4-0 for the hosts after 20 minutes.

Matt Mistele and Michael Fine both scored on inspired individual efforts early in the second to make the game 6-0 for the Rams. The Warriors were finally able to settle in after that, and Murphy rapped home a Silas rebound to cut the Ryerson lead to 6-1 after two.

The Warriors kept the pressure up on Ryerson in the third, and it paid off with a pair of goals only 25 seconds apart – first, Silas zipped a wrister off both posts and behind Graham, then Nicoll finished a shorthanded 2-on-1 with Tommy Tsicos (Barrie) to make it 6-3.

But on the same power play, the Rams took advantage of a turnover in the Warriors zone, when Hinds snapped a 13-game goalless skid to make it 7-3 for Ryerson. When the Warriors tried to generate a few quick goals by pulling Hurry late, Vince Figliomeni scored into the empty net to make the final 8-3.

The Warriors will continue their push for the playoffs when they travel down highway 7 to visit the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, January 21. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 pm.