OSHAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech University men's hockey program got 2019-20 started on the right foot on Thursday night with a 2-1 win at home over the Ryerson Rams.
It was the Ridgebacks' first exhibition action of the year, with the first period seeing both teams shake off the summer rust. The scoring was opened by Ryerson when a rolling puck was chopped toward the net, deflecting off a Ridgeback defender and eluding goalie
Michael Bullion (Anchorage, Alaska). The Ridgebacks evened the score with under a minute left in the opening period.
The teams began the second period with more structure and a faster pace. Even with the tempo quickening, the defence and goalies stood tall, until over halfway through when
Jordan Ross (Kronau, Sask.) broke the tie on a partial break.
The Ridgebacks held the one-goal lead into the third, where Ryerson pushed hard to even the game. As the temperature of the game began to rise, it was a strong team defensive effort that helped the Ridgebacks withstand a strong surge by Ryerson at the end of the game.
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Cody Grant (Beaver Bank, N.S.) evened the game late in the first period when he streaked down the left wing and rifled a wrist shot passed the goalie's glove and deflecting off the post and in.
• Ross scored on a partial breakaway after taking the outlet pass from
Kyle Locke (Aurora, Ont.) and beating the netminder glove side with a perfect backhand.
• Jesse Barwell scored the lone goal for Ryerson.
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Michael Bullion started in net for the Ridgebacks, making 10 saves on 11 shots.
Leif Hertz (Kingston, Ont.) entered the game at 9:54 of the second period, stopping all 19 shots he faced in the win.
• Garrett Forest started for Ryerson making 15 saves on 16 shots and was replaced at 9:54 of the second period by Troy Timpano. Timpano made 10 saves on 11 shots in the loss.
Overall Record: 1-0-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
Next Game: Saturday, Sept. 14 @ Toronto Varsity Blues (7 p.m. – Toronto, Ont.)
