UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Ridgebacks Cannot Tame Gee-Gee as Ottawa Cruises to a 6-0 Win
Ottawa (OUA) – It was a tough day at the office for the UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team, as the high scoring Ottawa Gee-Gees poured in six goals in their final home game of the regular season to defeat the Ridgebacks by a 6-0 margin.
The Gee-Gees improve to 11-11-2 on the season while the Ridgebacks slip to 4-17-3 and are in the midst of a five game losing streak.
Despite having four penalties in the first period, the Gee-Gees managed to keep the game at a scoreless draw as they halted the Ridgebacks power play with strong goaltending and great positional play. UOIT was unable to beat Ottawa’s starting goalkeeper Riley Whitlock on a number of golden scoring opportunities.
Although it was Ottawa veteran players who were honoured for “senior’s day” at the rink, second year forward Yanick Charron stole the spotlight as he tallied four assists in the second period for the Gee-Gee’s. In total, the Gee-Gees scored five unanswered goals, chasing Ridgebacks starting goaltender Matt Mateja (Mississauga, ON) midway through the period. Ottawa dominated the entire period as they managed to outshoot the Ridgebacks 21-10, putting the game out of reach with a five goal lead.
The Gee-Gees added one more goal in the game beating back-up goalie Josh Evans (Whitby, ON) at the 15:35 minute mark of the final period.
The 6-0 loss marks the first time during the Ridgebacks inaugural OUA season that the team has been shutout on the score sheet. Ridgebacks shooters could not find the back of the net on any of their 26 total shots. Ottawa finished the game registering a total of 41 shots on net and going 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
Matt Mateja suffered the loss in net for the Ridgebacks, allowing three goals on 17 shots. Evans also allowed three Ottawa goals on a total of 24 shots one and a half periods of relief.
The Ridgebacks will now head home for a pair of games scheduled for next weekend. UOIT will hit the ice on Friday night at 7:30 pm in a rematch against the Brock Badgers, who came back to defeat UOIT 3-2 on Friday night. Oshawa Minor Hockey members and a guest will receive free admission to the game when wearing their team’s jacket. Fans will also have the opportunity to win a trip to Panama City! On Saturday night, the York Lions will visit the Campus Ice Centre for a 7:30 pm face-off.
GAME SUMMARY
UOIT 0 at Ottawa 6 (Final)
1st Period
No Scoring
2nd Period
1. Ottawa, D. McDonald (14) (T. Greene, Y. Charron) 2:17
2. Ottawa, M. Desjardins (2) (Y. Charron, D. McDonald) 3:58 PP
3. Ottawa, K. Gagne (6) (Y. Charron, T. Greene) 11:24
4. Ottawa, R. Jarvis (6) (Y. Charron, N. Vernelli) 14:24
5. Ottawa, M. Herard (3) (N. Vernelli) 18:43
3rd Period
6. Ottawa, R. Gove (1) (D. McDonald, M. McMahon) 15:35
RIDGEBACKS AT A GLANCE
Ridgebacks Conference Record: 4-17-3
Ridgebacks Overall Record: 6-21-3
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 & Marketing Coordinator
Durham College & UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca
Ottawa (OUA) –