UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Big Weekend for UOIT Men’s Hockey at the Campus Ice Centre

UOIT Ridgebacks Men’s Hockey
Friday, November 7 vs. Lakehead (7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, November 8 vs. Lakehead (3:30 p.m.)

Oshawa, Ont. - It is going to be a big weekend at the Campus Ice Centre as the Lakehead Thunderwolves (Thunder Bay, Ont.) men’s hockey team will pay a visit to the Dog Pound for back-to-back games against the UOIT Ridgebacks.

This will mark the first time Lakehead has made the trip down to play the Ridgebacks, as UOIT traveled to Thunder Bay for a two-game series during their 2007-08 inaugural OUA season.

UOIT (2-2-1) enters the game undefeated at home with a 2-0-0 record with victories over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the York University Lions. The Ridgebacks have averaged over 500 fans at both home games, creating an intimidating atmosphere for their opponents. UOIT returns home after traveling to Providence, Rhode Island last weekend to take part in the ‘Showcase at Meehan’. The Ridgebacks faced the Yale Bulldogs and Princeton Tigers at the tournament, both of which are members of the Ivy League.

Lakehead (4-3-1) is coming off an away split against the Western Mustangs and are now tied for second place with Waterloo and Western in the OUA Far West Division with nine points; trailing the nationally ranked Laurier Golden Hawks. The Thunderwolves have played four back-to-back weekend games this season, losing the first game in every series.

UOIT Head Coach Marlin Muylaert said his squad is looking for some home cooking this weekend. “With a big win against a great Laurier team two weeks ago and a very convincing 5-2 win in London vs. the Mustangs; the Thunderwolves are looking like they have hit their stride. They dominated us last year in Thunder Bay but we are looking forward to this weekend to see if we have narrowed the gap between our two programs in any way.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD
The two teams met twice last year in UOIT’s first year of OUA play and Lakehead won both; outscoring the Ridgebacks 11-2 in the two wins in Thunder Bay.  The Wolves are sixth in the conference in Goals For with 27 (3.4 per game) while UOIT is 17th with 15 (3 per game).  Lakehead is tied for sixth best in Goals Against with 21 (2.6 per game) while UOIT is 11th with 25 (5 per game).

RIDGEBACKS NETWORK ONLINE
The UOIT Ridgebacks are officially launching the RIDGEBACKS NETWORK this weekend, where fans can watch all hockey home games online for free. Visit www.uoitridgebacks.com and click on the “Ridgebacks Cast Live” to watch the games.

POPPY CAMPAIGN
A portion of the ticket sales from both Friday and Saturday’s games will be going to help support the poppy campaign. Prior to Saturday’s game, there will be a special ceremonial puck drop to recognize the poppy campaign and Remembrance Day.

POPCORN GIVEAWAY
Throughout Friday night’s game, fans will have the opportunity to win free popcorn courtesy of Kernels in the Oshawa 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)

With files from thunderwolveshockey.com