UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Friday, November 21, 2008

Ridgebacks force overtime against Waterloo

Men’s Hockey: Waterloo defeated UOIT 3-2 (OT)

Oshawa, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team managed to score a late goal to force overtime on Friday night, but fell short of a victory as the Waterloo Warriors came up with a 3-2 win at the Campus Ice Centre.

Despite putting in a good effort, UOIT falls to 2-6-2 on the year and have lost six straight conference games. Waterloo improves to 8-4-2 this season and sit in second place in the Far West Region.

The Ridgebacks started strong as they skated into the locker room up 1-0 after the first period. Brent Varty (Oshawa, Ont.) picked up the goal at the 17:21 mark of the first frame, assisted by Josh Vatri (Barrie, Ont.) and Richard Power (Toronto, Ont.).

UOIT would end up taking six penalties in the second period and it would cost them as Waterloo would strike back with back-to-back power play goals to take a 2-1 lead after two.

Down 2-1 and with their backs against the wall, UOIT dug down deep late in the third period as John Koch-Butterworth scored on a rebound with just over a minute left on the clock to tie things up at 2-2. Vatri and Varty picked up the assists on the play.

In overtime, UOIT streaked down the ice and had a good attempt on goal but Waterloo netminder Keaton Hartigan made one of his 20 saves to extend the game. Waterloo would then turn it up ice and found a way beat Matt Mateja (Mississauga, Ont.) for the third time in the game, as the Warriors team flew on to the ice in celebration as they came up with the overtime win.

With two assists on the night, Vatri’s point scoring streak has been extended to five games. The freshman is averaging a point a game with eight points in eight games.

UOIT will look to rebound tomorrow as they square off against the CIS seventh ranked Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. It will be the second half of a double header as the women’s team plays Brock at 3:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS

Conference Record: 2-6-2
Overall Record: 3-11-2

Next Home Action:
Saturday, November 22 vs. Laurier (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)