MONTREAL – For the first time in program history the UOIT men's hockey team has started OUA conference play with a pair of wins.
After shutting out Ottawa 3-0 on Friday, the Ridgebacks capped off their perfect opening weekend with a 5-2 victory over McGill.
"It was a great weekend for the team" said head coach
Curtis Hodgins. "We played two good team games and managed to keep the puck out of the net. We paid the price against a very good team in a tough place to play. We'll enjoy the pair of wins on the bus ride back but turn our attention to Laurentian for our home opener Friday night."
Saturday night's game also marked the Ridgebacks first win at McConnell Arena, going winless in their previous five meetings. UOIT's all-time record is now 2-9-0 against the Redmen.
Cameron Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) got the Ridgebacks off to a red-hot start as he was in on a pair of UOIT goals in the opening eight minutes. Yuill set up
Connor Jarvis (Port Union, Ont.) on a power play with Montreal native
Malik Johnson picking up the other assist. Three minutes later, the newly named captain was setup by
Jake Logan (Napanee, Ont.) and
Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) for his first of the season.
In the second period,
Nate Mitton (Kitchener, Ont.) looked as if he put the Ridgebacks in front 3-0 but the referees waved off the goal. McGill would immediately take advantage of the no-goal as Patrick Delisle-Houde and Alexandre Sills scored back-to-back goals to level the score at 2-2.
Three minutes into the third period, Robinson would score from a bad angle, giving him his second goal of the weekend and put the Ridgebacks back in front.
With nine minutes to go,
Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) was set up by a behind the back pass from
Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) for his third goal of the weekend.
Johnson sealed the deal with an empty net goal, as he finished the night with his first CIS goal and an assist in his return to Montreal.
Tyson Teichmann (Belleville, Ont.) got the start in goal and made 37 saves for his first win as a Ridgeback. Jacob Gervais-Chouinard suffered the loss stopping 25 Ridgeback shots on goal.
UOIT's penalty killers once again looked strong as the Redmen failed to score on seven power play attempts. The Ridgebacks have not allowed a goal against in 10 power plays by the opposition.
The Ridgeback power play scored two goals on six attempts.
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: 4-1-2
Conference Record: 2-0-0
Next Game: Fri. Oct. 14 vs. Laurentian (7:30 p.m.)
