GUELPH, Ont. – The UOIT women's hockey team earned a much-needed point against the No. 4 ranked Guelph Gryphons after a 3-2 shootout loss in Guelph on Saturday afternoon.
 
It was the second-straight day the Ridgebacks played a team on a six-game win streak as they hosted the red-hot Queen's Gaels on Friday night. Despite failing to put an end to either streak, they did pick up points in both games to move into a playoff position.
 
Cassie Charette (Ottawa, Ont.) got her second straight start and made a season-high 39 saves in the shootout loss. In all four appearances in 2017 Charette has allowed two goals per game bringing her goals against average down to 2.12.


 
The Ridgebacks opened scoring at 11:09 of the second period when Alex Frigon (Dartmouth, N.S.) notched the first goal of her OUA career on a great solo effort off a Guelph turnover.
 
Guelph would level the score late in the period when Sophie Contant beat Charette on a breakaway, the Gryphons 20th shot of the game.
 
The Gryphons would manage to go up 2-1 at 8:34 of the third period when Kelly Gribbons finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play setup by Claire Merrick and Kaitlin Lowy.
 
The lead was short-lived as Kassidy Nauboris (Brampton, Ont.) followed up her own rebound and beat Guelph goaltender Valerie Lamenta with Chelsea Ball (Maple, Ont.) and Mikaeli Cavell (Edmonton, Alta.) recording assists. Nauboris is second in OUA goal scoring with 14 this season.
 
In double overtime, UOIT had a golden opportunity to pick up the win as Natasha Tymcio (Caledon, Ont.) had a shorthanded breakaway with seconds left on the clock. The third-year defender tried to pick the corner but the puck sailed just over the crossbar forcing a shootout.
 
Merrick and Lowy were successful on their attempts for Guelph while Ball and Nicole Gorda (Edmonton, Alta.) failed to beat Lamenta giving the Gryphons the extra point and extending their win streak to seven games.
 
UOIT's power play went 0-for-1 while Guelph was 0-for-3. The Ridgebacks penalty killing unit has not allowed a power play goal against in four straight games fighting off 13 straight minor penalties.
 
UOIT (7-6-5) moves into a tie for seventh place with the Western Mustangs (8-9-1).
 
The Ridgebacks will remain on the road as they take on the Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, Jan. 27.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 8-9-6
Conference Record: 7-6-5
 
Next game: Friday, Jan. 27 @ Toronto (7 PM – Toronto, Ont.)