UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ridgebacks Ready for the ‘Showcase at Meehan’

Providence, RI – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team is preparing for the ‘Showcase at Meehan’ as they head to Brown University this weekend for games against Ivy League powerhouses. The Ridgebacks are set to take on the Princeton University Tigers and the Yale University Bulldogs in exhibition games.

The showcase tournament will mark the beginning of the 2008-09 Ivy League hockey season as Brown University will take on Princeton and Yale in regular season games, while UOIT will play the two teams in exhibition matches. The four-team event will feature double-headers on Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1 with action beginning at 4:30 p.m. on each day. All four games will be played at the Meehan Auditorium which holds a capacity of 3,100 spectators.
 
Brown University is looking to win their sixth Ivy League title and qualify for their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. The Bears last won the Ivy League championship in 2003 and in last year’s showcase tournament hosted by Yale University, Brown defeated UOIT 2-0.

Princeton enters the 2008-09 season as the defending Ivy League Champions, after defeating Harvard 4-1 to win the 2008 ECAC Hockey Tournament and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers beat UOIT 5-0 in last year’s exhibition match but will be in tough this year to defeat the new look Ridgeback team coming off two consecutive wins at home.

With a returning cast including its top six scorers, the Yale men's hockey team looks to top last year's sixth-place finish in the Ivy League. The Bulldogs lose only six lettermen and return an outstanding freshman class that combined for eight game-winning goals. This will be UOIT’s first game against Yale, as the Bulldogs hosted last year’s tournament.

‘SHOWCASE AT MEEHAN’ SCHEDULE
Hosted by Brown University – Providence, Rhode Island

Friday, October 31
Yale vs. UOIT – 4:30 p.m.
Brown vs. Princeton – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 1
Princeton vs. UOIT – 4:30 p.m.
Brown vs. Yale – 7:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS

Conference Record: 2-2-1
Overall Record: 3-5-1

Next Action:
Friday, October  31 vs. Yale University (Hosted by Brown University)
Saturday, November 1 vs. Princeton University (Hosted by Brown University)

Next Home Action:
Friday, November 7 vs. Lakehead (7:30 p.m.) – Campus Ice Centre
Saturday, November 8 vs. Lakehead (3:30 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)