Boxscore

Andy Smith (Rosetown/) tallied 2 goals including the game winner and added an assist as the Waterloo men's hockey team skated away with a 5-2 win over the UOIT Ridgebacks on Saturday night at the Columbia Icefield Arena. 

Starting goalie Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon/) continued his strong play of late turning aside 36 of 38 shots faced while Jason Guy (Whitby, Ont.) allowed five goals on 23 shots in the loss.

Waterloo jumped out of the gates with a goal two minutes into the opening period as Blake Chartier (Winnipeg/) fired a shot on net that bounced off a Ridgeback defender and found the net past Guy.  Smith and Ryan Molle (Calgary/) were given the helpers on the opening marker.

Jeff Einhorn (Red Deer/) extended Waterloo's lead eight minutes later on a perfectly executed two-on-one as Thomas Cardiff (London/) slid a the past to Einhorn who made no mistake for his fourth goal of the season.

The Ridgebacks cut into the Warriors lead five minutes later as Luke VanMoerkerke (Tilsonburg, Ont.) fired one past Leclerc for his sixth goal of the season.  Kevin George of Uxbridge, Ont. was credited with the lone assist on the goal.

The home side would regain their two goal lead late in the first on another picture perfect passing play.  Larson gained the zone and threaded the needle over to Smith who had an easy tap in to send Waterloo into the locker room up 3-1.

UOIT came out with some jump in the second period and were rewarded for their effort as Ryan Oliver (Brooklin, Ont.) had three whacks at a loose puck before finding the net. 

It only took five minutes for Waterloo to once again regain their two goal lead with Smith tallying his second straight goal on the night.  On a broken play Smith was able to skate out alone into the slot and fired a low shot that eluded Guy. 

UOIT had yet another chance to cut into the lead with Oliver given a clear cut breakaway on Leclerc but the Warrior netminder would turn the golden opportunity aside with a quick glove save. 

That save would prove to be timely as Waterloo would finally find the three goal advantage on their third highlight reel goal of the game.  Tyler Moir (Calgary/) found Larson down low and the Warrior rookie made some dazzling moves before sliding the puck over to Josh Schappert (Winnipeg/) who ripped home the one-timer.

Leclerc would take over in the third period stopping all 12 shots faced to secure the 5-2 win for his squad.  The win improved Waterloo to 14-7-4 on the season and with a Lakehead loss to Western, move them into a tie for second place in the OUA west with 32 points.  UOIT remain in the basement with a record of 5-19-1.

The Warriors have the week to prepare for a tough matchup against the No. 2 Nationally ranked Western Mustangs on Friday in London.  Puck drop is set for 7:30pm.