2011-12 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Athletics Media Release
Wednesday January 18, 2012

BADGERS & RIDGEBACKS KICK START OUTDOOR CLASSIC WEEKEND - watch live

HAMILTON, Ont. – The city of Hamilton is the place to be for hockey fans this weekend as the women’s OUA Outdoor Classic begins a weekend of festivities in partnership with the Hamilton Bulldogs and the 2012 AHL Outdoor Classic. The first teams to hit the ice at Ivor Wynne Stadium will be the women from Brock and UOIT at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

Just three points separate these two teams in the standings as Brock enters the game tied for seventh while the Ridgebacks are tied for ninth. Both teams have this game pegged as a must-win to help clarify their playoff pictures, meaning a victory outdoors will not only be a memorable experience, but will mean a lot to each team’s season.

So far this year UOIT and Brock have split their two games with Brock taking the first game of the season 5-2 back on October 5 and UOIT edging the Badgers 3-1 just ten days ago.

Brock has been led by Jessica Fickel (Fort Erie, Ont.) offensively, notching nine goals and 13 assists but it has been Leigh Vanderveen (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) finding success against the Ridgebacks this year, scoring three of her eight goals against UOIT.

Similarly for the Ridgebacks, Jill Morillo (Whitby, Ont.) sits atop the team leader board with 13 goals and 22 points but she has been unable to beat the Badger netminders this year while two of Niagara Falls native Vanessa Johnstone’s seven goals have come against Brock.

Brock and UOIT have met 14 times in OUA competition and Brock has dominated the series, posting a 10-2-1-1 record. The Ridgebacks might have some extra motivation on their side for this meeting as a win on Thursday would give them their first series victory over the Badgers in program history.

Check out all the OUA Outdoor Classic action, beginning with the women Thursday, January 19 at 3 p.m. Admittance to the women’s OUA Outdoor Classic is free of charge.  The men’s game will follow on Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the OUA Outdoor Classic men’s game will be on sale at the Beechwood gate entrance to Ivor Wynne Stadium, beginning at noon on game day. Adult tickets are 10 dollars, while students can gain entry for five dollars.

Stay tuned to OUA.ca for Outdoor Classic player features, previews, and recaps.

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OUA Communications