UOIT falls to Guelph in preseason action
 
OUA Men's Hockey: Guelph defeated UOIT 5-2
 
OSHAWA, Ont. – Coming off a double overtime loss to York one night earlier, the UOIT men's hockey team returned to the ice on Sunday afternoon as they hosted the Guelph Gryphons in preseason action. Despite Jason Shaw's two-goal performance, the Ridgebacks would end up on the wrong end of a 5-2 decision to the Gryphons.
 
Guelph, who were playing their first game of the preseason, looked fresh compared to the Ridgebacks early on as they scored two first period goals and took a 2-0 lead into the break. The Gryphons would outshoot UOIT 16-11 in the frame.
 
Penalties would hinder UOIT's performance over the next two periods, as Guelph would tack on three power play goals. The Gryphons would end up going 4-for-7 on the power play, as their special teams unit looked to be in mid-season form.
 
Shaw's (Belleville, Ont.) performance with the man advantage was a bright spot for UOIT as he netted two power play markers of his own. Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) would record two assists while Jesse Stoughton (Bobcaygeon, Ont.) and Colt Kennedy (Ajax, Ont.) added singles.
 
Freshman goaltender Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) made his first start of the preseason in net for the Ridgebacks and finished the night with 36 saves.
 
The Ridgebacks will be back in action on Friday night when they host the Ryerson Rams. Game time at the Campus Ice Centre is 7:30 p.m.
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 0-1-1
Conference Record: 0-0-0
 
Next Game: Friday, September 19 vs. Ryerson (7:30 p.m.)