Toronto - Last night saw the UOIT Ridgebacks Men’s Hockey Team take to the ice for their final exhibition game prior to the 2007-08 OUA regular season against the Ryerson Rams at the George Bell Arena in Toronto.The team was looking to improve upon a disappointing previous weekend which saw them lose back to back games to both Western (London) and York (Toronto).

The first period was dominated by special teams with both teams taking several penalties and each holding a two-man advantage for a short stretch of time. UOIT goaltender Matt Mateja (Mississauga) held the Rams scoreless throughout the period, turning away nine Ryerson shots. While his counterpart also kept the Ridgebacks from gaining the advantage, stopping six shots.

The second period was far more lively that the first had been. Within the first minutes, UOIT grabbed the lead when former Wellington Duke Brent Varty (Oshawa) opened the scoring assisted by Paul Pascuzzi (Whitby) and Shane Nolan (Enfield, NS). The Ridgebacks would add to their lead when centre Nathan Spaling (Drayton) slipped the puck past Ryerson’s netminder assisted by Jordan Freeland (Belleville). While goaltender Mateja had another strong period, including stopping a penalty shot, Ryerson would cut the lead in half late to send the teams into the third period with the score UOIT 2 Ryerson 1.

The third period would also hold good fortune for the Ridgebacks, as Freeland would add to the lead early and give the Ridgebacks a two-goal cushion. Ryerson refused to lie down, however and again cut the lead to one with 9:57 to play in the third. The final half of the period was a tight checking defensive affair for UOIT as they held off Ryerson’s offensive surges to take home an important win before starting the season on October 12th vs. Queen’s.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No Scoring

Second Period

UOIT: Varty (Pascuzzi, Nolan) 7:34

1. UOIT: Spaling (Freeland) 12:43
2. Ryerson: McNair  17:37

Third Period

UOIT: Freeland 2:10

1. Ryerson: Frenkel  9:43

Ridgebacks Conference Record: 0-0