GUELPH, Ont. – The Ontario Tech men's curling team was eliminated from the OUA championship on Saturday night by the host Guelph Gryphons 8-3.
 
While the Ridgebacks were eliminated from medal contention, this marked the second time in program history that Ontario Tech has advanced past the round robin portion of the championship.
 
They opened the three-day tournament with a pair of losses, the first of which was in an extra end against the Laurier Golden Hawks. Ontario Tech followed that with a 7-3 loss to the Carleton Ravens.
 
Saturday was a big one for the Ridgebacks as Ontario Tech picked up an extra end win over Trent to open the day, followed by a 5-4 victory over the Algoma Thunderbirds. In the second victory of the day and tournament, Ontario Tech stole one in the eighth end to clinch the victory.

"Overall, the weekend was a tremendous success," said head coach Mike Stauffer. "For a team that just started playing together in October, they have come a long way in a short time. Qualifying for the quarter-finals was the initial goal, but I know they are disappointed on not making it to Sunday. They realized in the first game, taking a strong Laurier team to an extra end, that they could compete with every team there."    
 
This wrapped up the OUA season for the Ridgebacks, who will finish their league play at their home clubs of Oshawa Curling Club and Oshawa Golf and Curling Club in the coming weeks.