UOIT earns a point against the nationally ranked Queen's Gaels

OUA Men's Hockey: Queen's defeated UOIT 3-2 (OT)

OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men's hockey team started off the 2014 portion of their season on a positive note after earning a point against the No. 8 ranked Queen's Gaels, losing 3-2 in overtime at the Campus Ice Centre Friday night.

In his return to the line-up after suffering a broken jaw in the Ridgebacks' season opener, Jesse Stoughton (Bobcaygeon, Ont.) made an immediate impact as he tied the game up at two goals apiece with five minutes left in the second period. Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) set up Stoughton for his 29th career goal

The teams went scoreless in the third period, with UOIT goaltender Colin Dzijacky (Thunder Bay, Ont.) making 16 saves including a big one shorthanded down the stretch to send the game in to overtime.

In the extra frame, Jordan Ramsay (Pickering, Ont.) had the Ridgebacks best opportunity after collecting a goal in the first period, but his shot rang off the post. With one minute remaining, Queen's freshman Harrison Hendrix buried a rebound to give the Gaels their 11th win of the year.

Matt Salituro (Toronto, Ont.) had a strong game for the Ridgebacks as he won the majority of his face-offs while creating several scoring chances through his strong forecheck.

Queen's outshot UOIT 38-25 while both power plays went scoreless in 11 combined attempts.

The Gaels sit atop of the eastern conference standings with an 11-0-5 record, as they are the only team in the OUA without a loss in regulation. UOIT remains in sixth place with a 5-8-3 record, two points ahead of the Concordia Stingers who have a game in hand on the Ridgebacks.

UOIT will be back in action on Saturday night when they host McGill. The Redmen are in second place in the eastern conference with an 11-4-1 record. Puck drop at the Campus Ice Centre is 7:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 5-14-3
Conference Record: 5-8-3

Next Game: Sat. Jan. 4 vs. McGill (7:30 p.m.)