UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Saturday, February 07, 2009

Ridgebacks extend point streak to four games

Men’s Hockey: York defeated UOIT 2-1 (OT)

North York, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team went into overtime for the third straight game on Saturday night as they took on the York University Lions in North York. Unfortunately for UOIT, the team could not pull out another dramatic win as York scored in the opening minutes of the extra frame to win by a final score of 2-1.

Picking up a single point in the game, UOIT extended their point streak to four games, the longest in program history. The team is also yet to lose to York in regulation as they are 3-0-3 all-time against their Mid-West divisional rival.

With the win, the Lions clinched the divisional title, their first since 2004-05 which will earn them a bye in the first round of the OUA playoffs.

In Saturday’s game, Pickering native Kyle Wetering picked up his first goal with the Ridgebacks, scoring at the 14:56 minute mark of the first period. TJ Legge (Chapleau, Ont.) and Nathan Spaling (Drayton, Ont.) tallied assists on the play.

York would level things up in the second frame, as Riley Brand scored his second goal of the season. The teams remained in the 1-1 deadlock throughout the third period, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, UOIT dominated the opening minute firing a total of five shots on net, but the team came up empty on the scoreboard. York on the other hand managed to score on their first shot, as Jesse Grespan scored his team leading 15th goal of the year to clinch the divisional title.

Both goaltenders were very impressive on the night as they both say plenty of action, with shots ending up 46-44 in favour of York. The goalies also did a good job of slowing down the power play units as the teams combined to go 0-for-11 with the man advantage.

Making his tenth straight start, UOIT goaltender Jeff Dawson (Bracebridge, Ont.) made 44 stops while allowing just two goals to the division’s highest ranked offense. York veteran goalie Carlo Di Rienzo stopped 43 of 44 shots, as he picked up his seventh win of the year.

The Ridgebacks will now look ahead to their regular season home finale which will take place on Friday, February 13 against the University of Guelph Gryphons. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre. It will also mark the second annual Durham Dodge Chrysler Jeep $1,000 giveaway.

GAME RECAP

UOIT 1 at York 2 (OT)

1st Period
1. UOIT, K. Wetering (1) (T. Legge, N. Spaling) 14:56  
 
2nd Period
2. York, R. Brand (2) (J. Grespan, N. Brooks) 14:55  
 
3rd Period
No Scoring
 
OT Period
3. York, J. Grespan (15) (J. Matheson) 1:29  
 
UOIT Shots: 12 14 13 5 TOTAL: 44
YOR Shots: 14 19 12 1 TOTAL: 46

Power Play Conversion
UOIT 0-4
(M) York 0-7

Goaltenders
(M) UOIT
Dawson 3-5-2-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 61:29 SV: 44 GA: 2 [L]

(M) York
Di Rienzo 7-5-0-1 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 61:29 SV: 43 GA: 1 [W]

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS

Conference Record: 6-17-3
Overall Record: 7-22-3

Next Home Action:
Friday, February 13 vs. Guelph (7:30 p.m.) – Campus Ice Centre

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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)