OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team was able to pull off an impressive 4-3 overtime victory against the UQTR Patriotes Friday night.
 
The Patriotes went into the game sitting in second place in the eastern conference, meanwhile the Ridgbeacks were sitting in seventh. Although, this seemed to have no effect on the Ridgebacks during Friday night's game even when they were down 3-2 late into the third period.
 
"Overall, I thought we played really well, we were able to bounce back when we gave up the lead late in the third," said head coach Curtis Hodgins. "The boys kept fighting and we found a way to win against a top team."
 
It was a very fast paced game for the whole 60-plus minutes, with there being no recorded penalties the whole night – until after the final goal in overtime. The first period ended goalless with the Ridgebacks outshooting the Patriotes 10-7.
 
UQTR jumped out to the early lead in the second period when Timothe Simard put one in the back of the net just 1:20 into the action. Moments later the Ridgebacks answered when Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) beat the goalie top shelf to tie the game at one. Midway through the second the Ridgebacks scored again when Loren Ulett (Port Perry, Ont.) was able to beat both defenders and take the puck to the net for a one-on-one with the goaltender, which he won.
 
As the third period progressed, UQTR eventually got the jump on the Ridgebacks when a pass from behind the net resulted in a one-timer goal scored by Christophe Boivin. UQTR scored again just moments later when Mathieu Lemay deked his way through the Ridgebacks defencemen and buried the puck glove side, giving them back the lead.
 
When the result was not looking promising for the Ridgebacks, trailing 3-2 late into the third, Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) came to the rescue and tied the game up with just under two minutes left to go. Robinson is currently on a nine-game point streak, including his goal which is his 13th of the season and the two assists he picked up in Friday night's game.
 
"He has been producing a lot for us, he definitely has a knack for scoring goals and he's got some great hands. It's really great to see him step up and perform the way that he has been," said Hodgins.
 
As the game headed into overtime it only took 1:38 for Jesse Baird to take off on a breakaway and roof the puck over Sebastien Auger's shoulder to give the Ridgebacks the thrilling overtime win.
 
Other notable performances from Friday night's game came from Blasko who picked up a goal and an assist and goaltender Tyson Teichmann (Belleville, Ont.) who made a total of 21 saves.
 
With their win Friday night the Ridgebacks streak now increases to seven and they currently sit in fifth place, just two spots back from UQTR who they will take on again Saturday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Campus Ice Centre. The game is also the Ridgebacks annual holiday food drive game.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 11-8-1
Conference Record: 9-5-1

Next game: Saturday, Dec. 2 vs. UQTR Patriotes (3:30 PM – Campus Ice Centre)