OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team bounced back from a loss on Friday night with an upset 5-3 victory over the No. 10 ranked Concordia Stingers in a hard-fought affair at the Campus Ice Centre.
 
As the playoffs quickly approach, each game matters for the Ridgebacks. They are currently sitting in fifth-place in the OUA eastern conference, just one point ahead of the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
 
"At this stage we may not move too much in the standings so our goal is to just keep playing good hockey and hit the playoffs full stride," said head coach Curtis Hodgins.
 
The Ridgebacks 5-3 victory over the nationally ranked Concordia Stingers marked the first time they had beat them in regular season action since their meeting in January of 2016.
 
The Ridgebacks victory also came on a special night as they hosted their annual Bell Let's Talk night in support of mental illness and mental health awareness.
 
In the opening frame the Ridgebacks wasted no time getting started as Mike Robinson (Stouffville, Ont.) buried a cross ice pass from Kyle Locke (Aurora, Ont.) just 2:05 into the period. The goal was Robinson's 16^th of the season, an OUA career high for the fourth-year veteran.
 
Not long after William Gignac answered for the Stingers when he was able to put one past Tyson Teichmann (Belleville, Ont.).
 
Teichmann left the game after the second period due to injury but would combine with Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) for a total of 39 saves in the win.
 
As the second period started the Ridgebacks would again get off to a quick start, scoring just 1:29 in to the action. Ben Blasko (Kingston, Ont.) was able to beat both the defender and the goalie as he deked the puck around the goaltender's pad and into the net. Blasko has already well surpassed his career high in points with 31, while last season he came away with 21.
 


Another Ridgebacks goal would come shortly after as Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) potted in his own rebound, scoring on the power play and increasing the lead to 3-1.
 
Alex Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) also scored in the third period for the Ridgebacks but would take a penalty shortly after for holding. The penalty led to Concordia scoring a power play goal to bring the game within two.
 
In the final period, Josh Maguire (Cobourg, Ont.) found himself on a breakaway as a Concordia defenceman lost the puck in his feet. Maguire was able to capitalize on the defencemen's mistake and took the puck to the net for a goal.
 
Not long after, Dominic Beauchemin roofed one top shelf for the Stingers, again decreasing their deficit to two. However, that was all they would be able to produce as the Ridgebacks would hold them off for the 5-3 victory.
 
UOIT's penalty killing unit allowed a power play goal against, their first since Dec. 2^nd against UQTR. UOIT's power play has scored in four straight games.
 
Looking ahead, the Ridgebacks will get set to play their next game against the Carleton Ravens who currently sit in third place. Puck drop is set for February 1 at 7:30 p.m. on home ice.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 16-12-1
Conference Record: 14-9-1

Next game: Thursday, Feb. 1 vs. Carleton Ravens (7:30 p.m. – Campus Ice Centre)