UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Friday, January 25, 2008

UOIT Surrenders a Two Goal Lead at Home

Oshawa (OUA) – Despite scoring the first two goals of the game on Friday night, the UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team fell short on home ice as they lost to the Mid-West Division leading Brock Badgers by a score of 3-2.

With the comeback win, Brock improves to 14-7-3 to lead all teams the division with 31 points while the Ridgebacks fall to 4-16-3 on the season. Brock is 2-0 against UOIT with the two teams closing out their season series back at the Campus Ice Centre next Friday night (February 1).

During first period action, the Ridgebacks peppered the Badgers net with 16 total shots, but starting goalie Matt Harpwood was up to the task as he stopped every one of them, preserving a scoreless tie heading into the break.

UOIT was unwilling to let the offensive pressure off early in the second period as they scored a pair of quick goals giving the team a 2-0 advantage. Jordan Freeland (Belleville, ON) and Shane Nolan (Enfield, NS) each notched their eighth goals of the season, giving UOIT a commanding two-goal lead. Later in the period, the Badgers managed to cut the deficit in half as Gary Friesen slipped one past UOIT goalie Matt Mateja (Mississauga, ON) on a Brock power play. Prior to the goal, Brock was 0-for-6 with the man advantage.

Near the beginning of the third period, Brock’s Jonathon Labelle scored his thirteenth goal of the season to level the game at two goals apiece. With momentum clearly on their side, the first place Badgers continued to apply pressure throughout the period and managed to take their first lead of the game at the 7:08 minute mark when defenseman Steve Pattison blew one past Mateja, marking his first goal of the season. Once they had attained the lead, the Badgers clamped down on defense and shut the door on UOIT, going on to skate to a 3-2 victory.

Despite finishing on the wrong end of the scoreboard, UOIT outshoot the Badgers 30-26. Once again, the Ridgebacks failed to score with the man advantage going 0-for-5 while Brock went 1-for-7, with their lone power play goal coming in the second. Whistles were left in the referee’s pocket in the third period as no penalties were called.

UOIT will now head to Ottawa to face the GeeGee’s on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. The last time UOIT visited the nation’s capital, the Ridgebacks came away with a 5-4 overtime victory over Carleton.

The Ridgebacks will then head home for a rematch against the Badgers on Friday, February 1 at the Campus Ice Centre. Oshawa Minor Hockey players wearing their team jacket will receive free admission along with a parent to the game at the Campus Ice Centre. Puck drop is 7:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY

Brock 3 @ UOIT 2 (Final)

1st Period
No Scoring
 
2nd Period
1. UOIT, J. Freeland (8) (I. Brunt) 1:24  
2. UOIT, S. Nolan (8) (C. Chimienti) 3:25  
3. Brock, G. Friesen (4) (P. Holder, P. Selin) 13:40 PP
 
3rd Period
4. Brock, J. Labelle (13) (J. Martin) 1:29  
5. Brock, S. Pattison (1) (R. Del Monte, R. Allen) 7:08  
 
Brock Shots: 4-12-10 (26)
UOIT Shots: 16-7-7 (30)

Power Play Conversion
Brock 1-7
UOIT 0-5.

Goaltenders
Brock
Harpwood - Min: 60:00, SV: 28, GA: 2 (W)

UOIT
Mateja – Min: 60:00, SV: 23, GA: 3

Attendance : 212

RIDGEBACKS AT A GLANCE
Ridgebacks Conference Record: 4-16-3
Ridgebacks Overall Record: 6-20-3

NEXT HOME GAME

Friday, February 1, 2008 (7:30 PM)
vs. Brock Badgers
Campus Ice Centre
Oshawa, ON

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College & UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca