2011-12 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Athletics Media Release
Thursday, January 19, 2012

Ridgebacks fall 3-2 at the OUA Outdoor Classic

OUA Women’s Hockey Outdoor Classic: Brock defeated UOIT 3-2
Video Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eZANmCyu2c <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eZANmCyu2c>

HAMILTON, Ont. – On a day where the city of Hamilton experienced snow squalls and heavy winds, the Brock Badgers (9-9-1) skated away with a 3-2 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks (7-12-0) in the women’s OUA Outdoor Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

The challenge began for players as soon as they stepped off the bus as they were greeted with heavy, blowing snow. The ice crew at Ivor Wynne Stadium worked diligently to clear the snow prior to warm-ups, and after a slight delay, sunshine finally greeted the teams as they skated to centre ice for the opening face-off.

Both teams took the first period to find their legs and acclimatize to the conditions. After twenty minutes the Ridgebacks held an 8-5 advantage in shots but it wasn’t until eight minutes into the second period that Brock’s leading scorer Jessica Fickel (Fort Erie, Ont.) opened the scoring with Rachel Piotrowski (Waterloo, Ont.) and Leigh Vanderveen (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) drawing assists.

Four minutes later Vanessa Johnstone (Niagara Falls, Ont.) found the back of the net for the Ridgebacks and the teams headed back to the locker rooms tied at 1-1.

The Ridgebacks began the final frame on a power play and Melissa Berney (Bowmanville, Ont.) sprung Johnstone for a breakaway and she made no mistake, potting her second of the game and putting her team up 2-1 just 1:37 into the third.

With strong winds still playing a factor, Brock camped out in front of UOIT goaltender Jessica Larabie (Pickering, Ont.) and Fickel pounced on a bouncing puck, slapping it past Larabie to draw the Badgers even with 12 minutes remaining.

As UOIT applied pressure looking for the go-ahead goal on a power play, Brock’s Sara Brady (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was able to slip past the defence and capitalized for a shorthanded goal at 10:12. Brady’s goal stood as the game-winner as the Ridgebacks could not find an equalizer.

The Badgers went 0-for-4 on the power play while UOIT was 1-for-2. Brock outshot the Ridgebacks 20-16.

Vanessa Johnstone finished the game with two goals and joked about the conditions, saying, “Well, it was a little cold. The first two periods weren’t too bad, but when we came out in the third we felt it a little more. We came prepared though and we got used to it”. The experience of playing in the OUA Outdoor Classic was something Johnstone will always hold with her, saying “It’s something you’re never going to forget and hopefully there are more so more girls get the opportunity that we did.”

Jessica Fickel was named the Harrow Sports Player of the Game with her two goals. When asked about the experience after the game she couldn’t hide her excitement. “It was a great experience. The team was getting pumped about it the entire week. It’s an honour to be here and be the first two teams to play in this event.”

After the game, the teams went back out on the ice and took part in the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Skate the Dream program. The initiative was designed to break the barriers that prevent local children from learning to skate and playing hockey. The players were helping tie skates and providing on-ice instruction.

UOIT will return home on Friday night as they take on the Guelph Gryphons. Game time at the Campus Ice Centre is 7:30 p.m.

OUA Outdoor Classic action continues on Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m. as the Waterloo Warriors host the Brock Badgers in men’s action. Tickets to the game will be available at the Beechwood gate at 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 more player profiles, previews, and recaps of the OUA Outdoor Classic.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 9-12-0
Conference Record: 7-12-0

Next Home Game: Fri. Jan. 20 vs. Guelph (7:30 p.m.)

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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)
905.259.2825 (C)
905.721.3117 (F)

Photo Credit: Zak McLachlan
OUA Communications