OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men's hockey team earned a point on Friday night with an overtime loss to the Concordia Stingers.
 
After missing the majority of November because of an injury, UOIT assistant captain Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) made his presence felt in his return scoring the game-tying goal with six minutes remaining in the third period. From behind the net, Bennett threw the puck in front, banking if off a defender and in.
 
Unfortunately for UOIT, the OUA's top goal scorer Anthony De Luca came through in overtime for Concordia, as he beat Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) with a slap shot from the point on a power play.
 
The Ridgebacks forced overtime after digging themselves out of a hole, trailing 3-1 seven minutes into the game. O'Neill would come into the game for Tyson Teicmann after the Stingers third first period goal in a three-minute span.
 
Nate Mitton (Kitchener, Ont.) and Jack Patterson (Bedford, N.S.) scored second period goals for UOIT as the teams entered the final period tied at 3-3. Malik Johnson (Montreal, Que.) was the other goal scorer for UOIT, as he notched his second of the season two minutes into the game.
 
Bennett finished the night with one goal and an assist while Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and Tyler Mayea (Burlington, Ont.) had two assists apiece.
 
Stingers having multi-point games included Matthieu Desautels, Raphael LaFontaine and De Luca each getting a goal and an assist while Philippe Sanche and Anthony Cortese each had two helpers.
 
Philippe Cadorette earned the win for Concordia making a season-high 36 saves. O'Neill suffered the loss making 37 saves in relief.
 
Both teams had seven power play attempts with Concordia converting on two compared to one for UOIT.
 
The Ridgebacks (11-5-1) are one point ahead of Concordia (11-5-0) for third place in the OUA eastern conference standings, but the Stingers have one game in hand. UQTR (11-4-1) is tied with UOIT while Queen's (12-4-1) and McGill (11-3-2) are two and one point ahead respectively.
 
The Ridgebacks will close out 2016 conference action on Saturday night at home against the RMC Paladins (3-12-1). Game time at the Campus Ice Centre is 7:30 p.m.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 13-7-3
Conference Record: 11-5-1
 
Next game: Saturday, Dec. 3 vs. RMC (7:30 PM – Campus Ice Centre)