2011-12 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Athletics Media Release
Saturday, November 19, 2011- UPDATED

Ridgebacks pick up their first ever victory in Guelph

OUA Men’s Hockey: UOIT defeated Guelph 3-2

GUELPH, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team came up with a 3-2 road victory on Saturday night against the Guelph Gryphons.

This marks the Ridgebacks first win at the Gryphon Centre Arena in five years, as UOIT was winless in their six previous meetings in Guelph. UOIT head coach Marlin Muylaert coached 11 seasons for the Gryphons including winning the University Cup in 1997.

The Ridgebacks trailed 2-0 after the first period, but a power play goal from Tony Rizzi (Kingston, Ont.) just 18 seconds into the second period seemed to shift momentum to UOIT's side.

Ryan Oliver (Brooklin, Ont.) scored his second goal in as many nights, 3:15 into the third period to tie the game up at 2-2. Kevin George (Uxbridge, Ont.) scored the eventual game winner with six minutes left in the game, giving UOIT their third conference victory of the year.

Rizzi finished the night with a goal and an assist while Andrew Randazzo picked up two assists. Rizzi leads the Ridgebacks in scoring with 11 points this season. Pickering natives Kyle Wetering and Jeremy Whelan had assists on Oliver’s game tying goal.

Jon Thomas Macdonald and Patrick Campbell were the goal scorers for the Gryphons in the losing effort.

Jason Guy was solid in net for UOIT making 39 saves while Guelph's Cody St. Jacques stopped 22 of 25 Ridgeback attempts.

Despite struggling to begin the season, UOIT (3-10-0) sits tied for eighth place and the final playoff spot in the OUA eastern conference with Laurier (3-8-0). Guelph (2-7-4) occupies seventh place, two points ahead of the pack.

UOIT’s next action is at home on Thursday, November 24 against the Waterloo Warriors (8-4-1). Game time for Ridgeback spirit night is at 7:30 p.m.

A QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 6-13-0
Conference Record: 3-10-0

Next Home Game: Thu. Nov. 24 vs. Waterloo (7:30 p.m.) – Campus Ice Centre

GAME RECAP

UOIT 3 at Guelph 2
Gryphon Centre Arena

UOIT 0 1 2 - 3
Guelph 2 0 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Guelph, Macdonald 5 (Gvora, Odom), 1:21
2, Guelph, Campbell 3 (Clarke, Belan), 17:20 (PP)

2nd Period
3, UOIT, Rizzi 8 (Randazzo), 0:18 (PP)

3rd Period
4, UOIT, Oliver 2 (Wetering, Whelan), 3:15
5, UOIT, George 3 (Randazzo, Rizzi), 13:35

Shots on Goal
UOIT 7-11-7-25
Guelph 13-14-14-41

Power Play Opportunities
UOIT 1 / 4
Guelph 1 / 7

Goalies
UOIT, Guy 3-9-0 (41 shots-39 saves)
Guelph, St. Jacques 0-10-0 (25 shots-22 saves)

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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: Al Fournier