NORTH BAY, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team scored two third period goals but it wasn't enough to pick two points as the Nipissing Lakers skated to a 3-2 victory in North Bay.

The Ridgebacks will not have much time to dwell on the loss as they get right back on the bus to Oshawa and look to rebound on Saturday night against the No. 10 ranked Concordia Stingers. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre.
 
Saturday's game will be a part of the Bell Let's Talk campaign, as the Ridgebacks are hosting Make Some Noise for Mental Health night. Fans are encouraged to "make some noise for mental health" and support the Bell Let's Talk movement in raising awareness about mental health.
 
The result was UOIT's second loss in a row after losing to the last-place Laurentian Voyageurs on Sunday afternoon. Previous to that, the Ridgebacks were on a three-game win streak that was capped off with a 3-0 shutout over Nipissing.
 
This was UOIT's fourth and last conference game against the Nipissing Lakers with each team picking up two wins. Three of the four games were decided by one goal.
 
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, it was the Lakers who would strike twice in the second period as Danny Desrochers and Brett Jeffries beat UOIT goaltender Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.), who wrapped up his OHL career in North Bay. For Jeffries, it was his first career OUA goal.
 
UOIT came out flying in the third period and were rewarded early as Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) beat Brent Moran through the five-hole to cut the lead to 2-1. Malik Johnson (Montreal, Que.) and Alex Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) added assists on Elser's fourth of the year.
 
Three minutes later, Anthony Latina (Scarborough, Ont.) had a glorious chance to tie the game but was unable to convert. Nipissing's Colin Campbell was able to take the puck back up the ice and made a move with one hand and score to put the Lakers back up by two.
 
After Campbell's goal, Nipissing took a pair of penalties including an unsportsmanlike conduct for a scrum in front of the UOIT bench during the goal celebration. Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) was able to convert on the 5-on-3, scoring his eighth goal and career high 26th point of the year. Elser and Jesse Baird (Brampton, Ont.) recorded assists.
 
The Ridgebacks had a number of chances to tie the game in the remaining seven minutes but were unable to beat Moran for a third time. Moran finished with 35 saves picking up the win, with the final shots reading 37-32 in favour of UOIT.
 
UOIT (13-9-1) remains in fifth place in the OUA eastern conference, one point ahead of the Ottawa Gee-Gees (11-8-4). Nipissing (9-12-2) is in seventh place, six points up on the UQTR Patriotes (8-15-1).
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 15-12-1
Conference Record: 13-9-1

Next game: Saturday, Jan. 27 vs. Concordia Stingers (7:30 p.m. – Campus Ice Centre)