OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team earned its third victory of the season with a close 4-2 win over the Queen's Gaels Friday night at home.
 
The Ridgebacks opened the scoring with a goal from Jesse Baird (Brampton, Ont.) 14 minutes into the game. The goal was Baird's first in the OUA and he made sure it was one to remember as he deked through the defenders and beat the goalie blocker-side.
 
"It feels pretty good to get my first goal and to get it on a night when the team had a great performance and pulled off the win is pretty special," said Baird.
 
With UOIT dominating the offensive zone in the second period, they were able to put two more goals up on the board. The second goal of the game came off a rebound from Loren Ulett (Port Perry, Ont.), who is in his third season with the Ridgebacks. The third goal, scored in the second period, was a power play goal scored by Brennan Roy (Iroquois Falls, Ont.), making that his third of the season.
 

?? @jessebaird16 - 1st career @ouasport goal ??????

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For a good part of the game it looked like UOIT might come away with a shutout win, but Queen's got on the board midway into the third period. Queen's forward and Calgary native, Ryan Bloom scored on a power play for the Gaels to give them their first goal of the game. Their second goal was from third year veteran, Slater Doggett with six minutes to go in the third.
 
When it looked like Queen's might complete a comeback, the Ridgebacks silenced those thoughts with their fourth goal of the game coming from defenseman Alex Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) with the net empty.
 
It was a rough game and UOIT was once again no stranger to the penalty box as they took eight minor penalties on the night. Queen's took their fair share of penalties as well, ending the night with a total of nine minors.
 
The goaltending on both sides was outstanding. Ridgebacks goaltender, Tyson Teichmann (Belleville, Ont.), earned his third win of the season while stopping a total of 33 shots. Queen's goaltender Jacob Brennan had himself a total of 31 saves on the night.
 
"Teich really kept us in it and gave us a fighting chance, making a lot of good saves and allowing us to get the win" said Baird.
 
The Ridgebacks hope to keep the momentum going as they head into their next game Saturday against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at Campus Ice Centre.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 5-8-1
Conference Record: 3-5-1

Next Game: Saturday, November 11 vs. Ottawa Gee-Gees (7:30 PM @ Campus Ice Centre)