WOMEN’S HOCKEY

UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Sunday, January 06, 2008

Ridgebacks Lose 4-3 in OT, Despite a Two-Goal Comeback

Toronto (OUA) – Despite a valiant effort that involved coming back from a two-goal deficit, the UOIT Ridgebacks women’s hockey team lost to the York University Lions 4-3 in overtime on Saturday afternoon at the Ice Gardens in North York, ON. The Ridgebacks dropped to 1-15-1-2 on the season while the Lions improved to 7-8-3-0 in OUA league play.

York got on the board early in first in the period, scoring at the 2:57 mark of the game. Lions forward Autumn Mills scored her third of the year giving York an early 1-0 advantage. Less then two minutes later, Michelle Daniels netted the Lions second goal of the game, as she beat Ridgebacks goaltender Carleigh Taggart (Oshawa, ON).

The Ridgebacks managed to come right back, notching a goal at the midway point of the first. The starting forward line got the Ridgebacks within one when assistant captain, Jennifer Campitelli (Scarborough, ON), fired the puck past the York goalie, Sydney McMurter, for her third goal of the year. Melissa Bell (Cobourg, ON) got the lone assist on the goal.

In the second frame, the Lions restored their two-goal lead on a power play as Mills found the back of the net for her second goal of the contest. York forward Courtney Unruh, who sits 12th in OUA scoring, assisted on all three goals in the game, increasing her point total to 14 on the season.
 
It took the Ridgebacks less than three minutes after York’s goal to score two goals to tie the score at 3-3. Kathleen Edwards (Whitby, ON) scored her second goal of the season at the 3:02 mark and followed it up with an assist her lines next shift as Rikki Palmateer (Cobourg, ON) scored her team leading fifth goal on the power play. The Ridgebacks looked like a different team at this point compared to one night earlier, where they dropped an 11-0 decision to the #4 nationally ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (15-1-1-0).

In the third period, the teams skated to a scoreless draw despite numerous scoring opportunities for both teams. UOIT’s Carling Jeyes (Little Britain, ON) took a hooking penalty with just over two minutes left to play in regulation sending the Lions on their fourth power play. The Ridgebacks were able to hold the Lions off until the end of the third period as Taggart made some terrific stops between the pipes. The two teams headed into overtime tied 3-3.

Overtime was very entertaining with both teams having plenty of chances to put the game to rest and at the 3:05 mark of the extra period, left-winger Jessica Turi of the Lions scored the unassisted game winner, sending the York fans home happy.

The Lions narrowly outshot the Ridgebacks, 29-27, and scored on one of their four power plays. UOIT matched the Lions power play production, scoring on one of four attempts with the man advantage. McMurter recorded 24 saves for the win while Taggart stopped 25 shots in the overtime loss.

UOIT will now return to the Campus Ice Centre for a two-game set against the University of Guelph Gryphons (12-5-0-0) beginning on Saturday night at 7:30 pm. UOIT founding president Gary Polonsky will be honoured during Saturday’s game. Puck drop for Sunday’s game against the Gryphons is scheduled for 1:30 pm.

GAME SUMMARY

UOIT 3 at York 4 (OT)

Scoring
1st Period
1. York, A. Mills (3) (C. Unruh) 2:57  
2. York, M. Daniels (2) (C. Unruh, D. Beach) 4:38  
3. UOIT, J. Campitelli (4) (M. Bell) 10:31  

2nd Period
4. York, A. Mills (4) (C. Unruh, K. Webster) 2:34 PP
5. UOIT, K. Edwards (2) (J. McArthur) 3:02  
6. UOIT, R. Palmateer (5) (K. Grant, K. Edwards) 5:04 PP

3rd Period
Scoring - No Scoring

OT Period
7. York, J. Turi (2)   3:05  

Shots
UOIT: 9-15-1-2 (27)
YORK: 7-6-11-5 (29)

Power Play Conversion
UOIT 1-4
York 1-4.

Goaltenders
UOIT: Taggart - 63:05 min, SV: 25, GA: 4 [L]
York: McMurter -63:05 min, SV: 24, GA: 3 [W]

RIDGEBACKS AT A GLANCE
Ridgebacks Conference Record: 1-15-1-2

NEXT HOME GAMES
Saturday, January 12, 2008 (7:30 PM)
vs. Guelph Gryphons
Campus Ice Centre
Oshawa, ON
*Gary Polonsky Day

Sunday, January 13, 2008
vs. Guelph Gryphons
Campus Ice Centre
Oshawa, ON
*Gary Polonsky Day

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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