NORTH YORK, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team opened up their preseason with a 4-2 victory over the Ryerson Rams in the semifinals of the York University tournament on Friday afternoon. The Ridgebacks will take on the winner of the Toronto/York game at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
 
Coming off their best season in program history, there is hope that the team can build off that success as they enter the 10^th season of Ridgeback hockey.
 
The Ridgebacks needed a comeback effort in Friday's game as the Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 1:53 into the second period.
 
Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) would get the Ridgebacks on the board 5:26 in the second period with newcomer Josh Carrick (Stouffville, Ont.) and Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) picking up assists.
 
With five minutes left in the frame Carrick scored to record his second point of the period and tie the game up at two's. Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) and Ryan Doucette recorded assists.
 
It would not take long for the Ridgebacks to strike again as Blasko scored his second goal of the period, being set up by Elser and Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.).
 
In the third period, Robinson would add an insurance marker with Jason Shaw (Ameliasburg, Ont.) and Anthony Latina (Scarborough, Ont.) picking up assists.
 
With the Ridgebacks taking six minor penalties in the final frame, UOIT goaltender Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) was busy in net but managed to stop all 17 shots he faced. In total, he made 32 for the win. Taylor Dupuis made 28 saves for Ryerson in the losing effort.
 
The Ridgebacks next action following the tournament will be on Thursday, Sept. 22 against the Western Mustangs in London, Ont. UOIT's first game at the Campus Ice Centre will be on Friday, Sept. 30 vs. the RMC Paladins. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 1-0-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
 
Next Game: Sat. Sept. 17 vs. York/Toronto (Hosted by York University)