OSHAWA, Ont. – The University of Waterloo men's hockey team won their ninth straight game on Friday night with a commanding 7-2 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks.
 
For the opening 20 minutes, UOIT held the majority of chances as they outshot Waterloo 14-5. It looked as if UOIT's hard work would pay off as they scored with time expiring, when Matt Pasztor (Langton, Ont.) fired the puck in from beyond the blueline. However, after a conference by the officials, the play was ruled offside and the game remained scoreless.
 
In the second period, Waterloo would flex their muscles and make UOIT pay for not capitalizing on their first period scoring chances, as the Warriors recorded four consecutive goals on 17 shots while goaltender Chris Hurry made nine more saves to keep UOIT off the board.
 
Waterloo would win the third period by a score of 3-2, but it was the bad blood between the two teams that would steal the show as they combined for 62 penalty minutes, with all but six coming in the final three minutes of play.
 
Brendan Wise (Stouffville, Ont.) and Alex Derlis (Campbellcroft, Ont.) were the goal scorers for UOIT, with Jake Logan (Napanee, Ont.) picking up two assists. Waterloo's Chris Chappell netted one goal and three assists to lead all scorers while teammate Colin Behenna had two goals and one assist.
 
Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) allowed all seven Waterloo goals against as he finished the night with 27 saves. Hurry allowed two third goals but stopped 38 shots in his second win of the year.
 
UOIT remains tied for sixth place with the Queen's Gaels as both teams sport records of 8-11-1. With their ninth straight win, Waterloo improves to 13-6-1, good enough for third place in the western conference.
 
The Ridgebacks will play host to the Laurier Golden Hawks (6-13-1) on Saturday night at the Campus Ice Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 10-13-2
Conference Record: 8-11-1

Next Game: Sat. Jan. 17 vs. Laurier