OSHAWA, Ont. - A developing rivalry within the OUA, the UOIT Ridgebacks men's hockey team fell 3-0 to the Queen's Gaels in the first of four matchups this season.
The Friday morning contest served as both the Ridgebacks home opener and annual school day game, welcoming elementary school children from across the Durham region to the Campus Ice Centre for the OUA hockey showcase.
Despite not finding the back of the net the Ridgebacks received strong forechecking performances from
Josh Maguire (Cobourg, Ont.) and
Malik Johnson (Montreal, Que), while first-year standouts
Austin Eastman (Lindsay, Ont.) and
Jake Bricknell (Port Perry, Ont.) brought noticeable speed to the lineup.
Behind 2-0 early in the third period, UOIT looked for an equalizer, sending 19 shots on net in the final frame. However, the Ridgebacks were unable to find their offence on the day.
• Gaels forward Mason Kohn opened the scoring just 1:50 into the game, breaking free down the left wing before sending a shot top corner to go ahead 1-0 early. Kohn added an empty-net goal at the end of the third period for his second of the game.
• Just 15 second into the third, Queen's defenceman Patrick Sanvido sent a point shot through a crowd to put the Gaels ahead 2-0.
• Ridgeback goaltender
Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) made 26 saves, stopping 11 in the third period.
• Queen's goalie Justin Fazio earned his second win of the season, making 30 saves in the shut out victory, including 19 in the final frame.
Overall Record: 4-3-0 (W-L-OTL)
Conference Record: 2-1-0
Next game: Saturday, Oct. 13 vs. RMC Paladins • 7:30 p.m. - Campus Ice Centre
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