Ridgebacks can't overcome a dreadful second period

OUA Men's Hockey: Nipissing defeated UOIT 8-5

NORTH BAY, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team failed to complete a four-point weekend up North as they dropped an 8-5 decision to the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday night.

Third year forward Grant Toulmin of Langley, B.C. netted a hat-trick in the second period which was part of a five goal outburst for the Lakers, as they took a 7-3 lead into the locker room after 40 minutes.

The Ridgebacks would manage to score two third period goals to cut the lead to just 7-5, but Nipissing's Matt Paton scored an empty netter to give the Lakers their first win of the season.

Toulmin would finish the night with three goals and one assist while teammate Connor O'Donnell had four assists. Toulmin and O'Donnell are both in the top ten of OUA league scoring with 10 and nine points respectively.

Making his return to the line-up this weekend, freshman Matt Salituro (Toronto) had three assists on the night which gave him four points in two games. Two of his helpers came off the stick of James Diminie (Cobourg, Ont.), who scored both of his goals in the second period.

Ridgeback captain Luke VanMoerkerke (Tillsonburg, Ont.) scored his fourth goal of the season, which came shorthanded midway through the third period. Other goal scorers for UOIT included Brendan Wise (Stouffville, Ont.) and Jason Shaw (Belleville, Ont.). Shaw's third period goal was the first of his OUA career.

For the first time in six starts, UOIT freshman goaltender Colin Dzijacky (Thunder Bay, Ont.) looked shaky as he was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 14 shots. Back-up goaltender Jacob Rattie (Niagara Falls, Ont.) did not fare much better as he let in three goals on 20 shots. Kirk Rafuse stopped 22 of 27 Ridgeback shots for Nipissing.

After not having a single power play opportunity against Laurentian on Friday night, UOIT had the chance to shine against Nipissing as they converted three goals with the man advantage. The Lakers were 1-for-10 on the power play.

UOIT will continue their road trip next week with a single game against Queen's University on Saturday, November 2.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 2-10-1
Conference Record: 1-4-1

Next Game: Sat. Nov. 2 @ Queen's



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