OTTAWA – UOIT knows how to crash a party.
That is exactly what the men's hockey team did on Friday night as the University of Ottawa made their return to CIS hockey and were blanked 3-0 by the Ridgebacks.
UOIT goaltender
Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) stopped all 31 shots he faced including 13 in the third period to earn his second career shutout. The third-year criminology and justice studies major has 25 conference wins, the most of any goaltender in program history.
The Ridgebacks scored one goal in every period to pick up the opening night victory.
Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) scored bookend goals for the Ridgebacks, notching his first on the power play 13:15 in the opening frame followed up with his second of the night coming at 5:19 of the third.
Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) and
Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) would record assists on both of Elser's goals as the line totaled for six points.
Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) was able to score his first goal of the season 15:45 into the second period as buried a rebound.
Jason Shaw (Ameliasburg, Ont.) and
Anthony Latina (Scarborough, Ont.) added assists.
Shots would end up 31 apiece with Anthony Brodeur suffering the loss in goal for the Gee-Gees.
Ottawa would take six minor penalties in the game with UOIT capitalizing on one power play opportunity. UOIT's penalty kill unit looked strong shutting the door of the Gee-Gees' three power play attempts.
UOIT will not have much time to celebrate the win as they travel to Montreal on Saturday night to take on the McGill Redmen. McGill defeated RMC 5-1 in Kingston on Friday. UOIT is 1-9-0 all-time against McGill.
UOIT's home opener is set for Friday, Oct. 14 against the Laurentian Voyageurs. Friday's game will be country night at the rink with the first 150 fans receiving a foam Ridgebacks cowboy hat. There will also be a post-game concert at Shagwell's on the Ridge.
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 3-1-2
Conference Record: 1-0-0
Next Game: Sat. Oct. 8 vs. McGill (7 p.m.)
