UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Saturday, February 14, 2009

Ridgebacks end season with a big win over Brock

Men’s Hockey: UOIT defeated Brock 5-2

St. Catharines, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team closed out the regular season with a big win on Saturday night as they defeated the Brock Badgers 5-2.

The Ridgebacks finished the season playing their best hockey of the year as they picked up at least a single point in their last six games, a new point-streak record for the team.

In Saturday’s game, the team trailed 2-0 in the first period but stormed back with five unanswered goals to defeat the defending OUA Champion Badgers 5-2. The win marked UOIT’s first road win of the year and second straight victory over the Badgers.

Freshman sensation Josh Vatri (Barrie, Ont.) picked up two goals and an assist in the comeback win, as he finishes the year with 32 to points to lead the team in scoring. Vatri is also ranked fourth in OUA freshman scoring while only playing in 24 games.

Other UOIT goal scorers on the night included Tony Rizzi (Kingston, Ont.), Jeremy Whelan (Pickering, Ont.) and Kyle Wetering (Pickering, Ont.). Playing in his final game with UOIT, assistant captain Brent Varty (Oshawa, Ont.) registered an assist. As an original member of the team, Varty is one of four players who have played in all 56 games for the Ridgebacks.

UOIT looked impressive after the early deficit as they out shot Brock 31-22. The Ridgebacks were 2-for-3 on the power play while Brock went 1-for-3.

UOIT goalie Jeff Dawson (Bracebridge, Ont.) made 20 saves for his fourth win of the year, playing in 12 consecutive games since joining the team in January.

The team finished the year on a six game point streak and a 5-5-3 record during the 2009 portion of the schedule, showing a lot of improvement as the season went on. Fans can continue to follow the OUA playoff hockey action on www.OUA.ca.

GAME RECAP

UOIT 5 at Brock 2

1st Period
1. Brock, S. Miller (1) (D. Brochu, R. Allen) 5:42 PP
2. Brock, G. Friesen (5) (S. Mullin, I. Smeltzer) 7:43  
 
2nd Period
3. UOIT, J. Vatri (14) (T. Legge) 5:09 PP
 
3rd Period
4. UOIT, J. Vatri (15) (D. Bagshaw, T. Legge) 0:58  
5. UOIT, T. Rizzi (9) (B. Varty) 14:10 PP
6. UOIT, J. Whelan (3) (J. Vatri) 17:22  
7. UOIT, K. Wetering (2)   18:42  
 
UOIT Shots: 11 8 12 TOTAL: 31
BRO Shots: 5 11 6 TOTAL: 22

Power Play Conversion
UOIT 2-3
Brock 1-3

Goaltenders
UOIT
Dawson 4-5-3-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 20 GA: 2 [W]

Brock
Lee 2-8-0-2 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 26 GA: 5 [L]

Start: 7:35 PM
End: 9:36 PM
Attendance: 224
 
A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS

Conference Record: 7-16-5
Overall Record: 8-21-5

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)