OSHAWA, Ont. – The new campus tradition, Carriage Cup, started with a bang on Thursday night, as the Ridgebacks men's hockey team toppled the York Lions 4-1 at the Tribute Communities Centre.

Before the game, Spot the Dog made a trip to centre ice with Oshawa Mayor, Dan Carter, OTSU President, Sam Brown and Ontario Tech President and Vice-Chancellor, Steven Murphy for the ceremonial puck drop. 

The Ridgebacks were greeted by a racous crowd at the downtown arena, and were propelled to an early lead by Braiden Koran (Kimberly, B.C.) who was assisted by Andrew Suriyuth (Kingston, Ont.) and Antoine Desrochers (Victoriaville, Que.).

During the first intermission the fans in attendance were treated with a performance of the Ridgebacks Anthem by King David, and a game of hockey from the U7 OCHL representatives.

The Ridgebacks continued their goal scoring in the second with a goal from Sam Gillis (Sydney, N.S.) and another from James White (Peterborough, Ont.) and Sean Ross (Bracebridge, Ont.). The York Lions responded opening their scoring with Brock McLeod finding the back of the night.



In the final frame of the evening, tempers began to flare as the game became more physical in he last ten minutes, and Suriyuth picked up a powerplay goal for the Ridgebacks fourth goal of the night.

The Ridgebacks named Gillis the Carriage Cup player of the game, and hoisted the trophy for the first time at centre ice.