UOIT Athletics Media Release
UOIT RIDGEBACKS MEDIA RELEASE

November 17, 2007

RIDGEBACKS MAKE THEIR FIRST EVER TRIP TO THUNDER BAY TO TAKE ON LAKEHEAD!

THE OUA'S NEWEST TEAM WAS RESPECTABLE WHILE JOSH EVANS STEPPED IN AND PLAYED WELL IN GOAL FOR UOIT!

Thunder Bay (OUA) -  After Head Coach Marlin Muylaert and the UOIT Ridgebacks Men's Hockey team registered its first ever OUA win this past week against the  University of Windsor Lancers the team flew north this weekend for their first ever games in Thunder Bay against the Lakehead Thunderwolves (8-2).   Final score was Lakehead 5 UOIT 1.





The home team was gracious off the ice with a nice pre-game presentation welcoming UOIT to the OUA in their first season. The presentation was made by Lakehead Athletic Director Tom Worden. On ice to receive the presentation gesture was none other than Dr. Gary Polonsky (Thunder Bay native and Founding President of UOIT, now retired)

The Thunderwolves were not so gracious on the ice however opening up a 3-0 lead in the Ridgebacks in the first period on goals by Brock McPherson (2) and Andrew Brown with the first goal of the game assisted by former Oshawa General and UOIT student Tobias Whelan.

The Ridgebacks made a goaltending change to start the 2nd period with Josh Evans replacing Matt Mateja in goal.  That move seemed to work well as Evans stopped several key opportunities before the Ridgebacks hit the scoresheet at the 7:59 mark of the 2nd period. Jordan Freeland scored unassisted to cut the lead to 3-1.  Lakehead would score again before the period ended to make it 4-1.

The third period was positive for the Ridgebacks in that they outshot the Lakehead 20-13 and showed some positive signs offensively against one of the OUA's top teams. Evans continued to play well in goal for UOIT.  The final score was 5-1 Lakehead.  The two teams will play again tonight at 7:30pm at the Thunder Bay Gardens.  Attendance 2600.

Team notes:  Goaltender Josh Sturrock did not make the trip (out with groin injury)....UOIT oushot Lakehead in the final 2 periods 31-28......next game tonight 7:30pm @ Lakehead.

SCORING SUMMARY
UOIT 1 at Lakehead 5 - Status: Final
Nov 16, 2007 - Thunder Bay
1st Period
Scoring -
1. Lakehead, A. Brown (7) (T. Whelan) 9:05  
2. Lakehead, B. McPherson (6) (P. Guilbault, D. Speer) 16:17 PP
3. Lakehead, B. McPherson (7) (D. Speer, M. Soares) 19:10  
Penalties - T. Legge Uoit (slashing) 14:22

2nd Period
Scoring -
4. UOIT, J. Freeland (4)   7:59  
5. Lakehead, A. Brown (8) (T. Whelan, K. Hogg) 14:11  
Penalties - No Penalties

3rd Period
Scoring -
6. Lakehead, B. McPherson (8) (D. Speer) 0:44  
Penalties - J. Smith Lak (high sticking) 3:45, T. Gubler Uoit (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 6:47, A. Brown Lak (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.) 6:47, R. Spencer Uoit (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 9:44, M. Soares Lak (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 9:44, D. Speer Lak (unsportsmanlike cnd.) 9:44, J. Smith Lak (elbowing) 14:29

UOIT Shots: 2 11 20 TOTAL: 33
LAK Shots: 16 15 13 TOTAL: 44

Power Play Conversion
UOIT 0-3. Lakehead 1-1.

Goaltenders
UOIT
Mateja 1-5-0-1 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 34:11 SV: 26 GA: 4 [L]
Evans 0-0-0-0 Start: 2nd 14:11 Min: 5:49 SV: 13 GA: 1

Lakehead
Whitley 7-0-0-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 0:00 SV: 32 GA: 1 [W]

Start : 7:34 PM
End : 10:00 PM
Attendance : 2600

-30-

For Further Information:
Ken Babcock
Director of Athletics
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
905-721-3047