KINGSTON, Ont. – With only his third goal of the season, Malik Johnson's (Montreal, Que.) second-period tally was the difference in giving the UOIT men's hockey team a 3-2 victory and two points on Friday night.
 
For the second time this season it was a one-goal game between the two squads, again going to the Ridgebacks. Saturday night they'll do it all again with a 7 p.m. puck drop again in Kingston.
 
Just 1:36 into Friday's tilt Josh Maguire (Cobourg, Ont.) opened the scoring for the Ridgebacks – his first goal since November 18, which followed his first career OUA goal on October 21.
 
The first penalties of the night saw 20 minutes handed out at the 7:09 mark, with RMC picking up the extra two, giving UOIT the first power play of the night. The opportunity was foiled for the first time on the night and Nicholas Bissonnette scored the Paladins first shorthanded goal of the season to tie the game 1-1 at the 8:13 mark.
 
Through 20 minutes the game remained 1-1 with UOIT holding a slight 10-9 shot advantage.
 
Another quick goal, this time Riley Daly's (Lorette, Man.) first of the season, beat Austin Hannaford to reinstate the Ridgebacks lead.
 
Only 17 seconds later, UOIT gave away the lead again, this time with Seamus Maguire sneaking his second goal of the year past Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.).
 
Before the second intermission Johnson, assisted by Spencer Roberts (Stouffville, Ont.) and Tyler Mayea (Burlington, Ont.), scored to put the Ridgebacks ahead 3-2. They held that lead as they earned their 11^th win of the year.
 
O'Neill made 35 saves in the victory, while Hannaford only made 23 in the loss.
 
For the third time this season and second time in two nights, the Ridgebacks and Paladins will battle on Saturday at Constantine Arena in Kingston. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 13-10-1
Conference Record: 11-7-1

Next game: Saturday, Jan. 13 vs. RMC Paladins (7 p.m. – Kingston, Ont.)