OSHAWA, Ont. – More shots and more power plays weren't enough to give the UOIT men's hockey team a victory on Friday night at home as they fell 2-1 to the Nipissing Lakers in overtime.
 
The Ridgebacks have bounced back and forth this season, never going on a winning or losing streak. They were coming off a comeback victory over the Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, but were unable to hold on after Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) opened the scoring on the power play 13:04 into the second period.
 
He was assisted by captain Danny Elser (Hopewell Juncton, N.Y.) and fellow assistant captain Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.).
 
"You have to give your opposition credit," said head coach Curtis Hodgins. "It was a hardworking game. We didn't give them much and didn't have a ton ourselves. It comes down to three-on-three hockey where we had a two-on-one at one end – muffed it up a little bit – and they came back down and scored, but that's three-on-three hockey. We'll take the point, but we've had better efforts."
 
The Ridgebacks held their 1-0 lead after two periods and were outshooting their opponents 21-15, but Harrison Harper knocked the goose egg off the scoreboard for Nipissing just 3:35 into the third.

MHKY | Highlights from tonight's @UOIT men's hockey game against the @nulakers pic.twitter.com/saVXTZOHPo

— UOIT Ridgebacks (@UOITRidgebacks) October 28, 2017

There were numerous chances for both teams during the remainder of regulation, especially a power play for UOIT after the Lakers took a too-many-men penalty with 7:45 left on the clock.
 
In the three-on-three overtime the first rush was for the Ridgebacks, but a turnover at the hash marks had them on their heels as the Lakers were on a two-on-one break. After Brody Morris got the puck to Danny Desrochers he held on and beat Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) glove side to end the game and take the two points.
 
Brent Moran made 30 saves in the win for Nipissing, while O'Neill made 22 in the loss.
 
UOIT has a quick turnaround as they head to the nation's capital to face the Carleton Ravens. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
 
"We just told the guys to come home, get some rest and get some fluids in them," he said. "I'm glad we have a chance to get back on the ice because we need to rebound from this effort tonight and get back in the saddle."
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 4-6-0
Conference Record: 2-3-0
 
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 28 vs. Carleton Raves (7 PM – Ottawa, Ont.)