NORTH BAY, Ont. – An opening weekend sweep for the UOIT men's hockey team came thanks to a balanced attack earning them a 5-2 win over the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday night.
 
After opening their OUA regular season with a 5-2 win at Laurentian on Saturday, the Ridgebacks had goals from five different players on Sunday night, while goaltender Michael Bullion (Anchorage, Alaska) earned the win in his OUA debut in goal.
 
The last time UOIT swept their opening weekend of conference play was 2016-17 when they defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees and McGill Redmen.
 
"Tonight was a great finish to the weekend for us," said head coach Curtis Hodgins. "Our guys played hard and earned the win. It was good for us to get out on the road together as a group this weekend and start to really grow as a team, with the four points certainly being a nice bonus."
 
Now the Ridgebacks return home for a rare 11:30 a.m. start for their home opener against the Queen's Gaels. The annual school day game is expected to have over 400 elementary school kids in attendance from around the Durham Region.
 
 

LIGHT THE LAMP

• Malik Johnson (Montreal, Que.) scored his second goal in two games to start the OUA season. The goals have Johnson off to a great start as his season-high is six goals in the 2016-17 season.
• Bryce Fiske (La Ronge, Sask.) scored his first OUA goal, pushing the Ridgebacks lead to 4-1 in the middle of the second period.
• Captain Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) scored his first goal of the season, alongside assistant captain Tyler Mayea (Burlington, Ont.).
• Austin Eastman (Lindsay, Ont.), like Johnson, scored his second goal in as many nights to open his rookie season.

A look at tonight's @UOIT goals vs. Nipissing on @OUAsport TV.
1. Danny Elser
2. Malik Johnson
3. Austin Eastman
4. Bryce Fiske
5. Tyler Mayea pic.twitter.com/o3IMxKuh8H

— UOIT Ridgebacks (@UOITRidgebacks) October 7, 2018

 

BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Ridgeback rookie goaltender Michael Bullion (Anchorage, Alaska) made 36 saves in his OUA debut. His most busy period was the opening 20 minutes when he faced 14 shots.
 

RIDGEBACKS AT A GLANCE

Overall Record: 4-2-0 (W-L-OTL)
Conference Record: 2-0-0

Next game: Friday, Oct. 12 vs. Queen's Gaels • 11:30 a.m. - Campus Ice Centre 

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