OSHAWA, Ont. – As satisfying as it was for the UOIT Ridgebacks men's hockey team to avenge their loss to the Nipping Lakers, no one could have felt more elated after Friday's 6-1 win than goaltender
Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.), who recorded his first win since early October.
A tough stretch accompanied by injuries made wins hard to come by for the fifth-year goaltender.
"That's hockey sometimes," said head coach
Curtis Hodgins when asked about O'Neill's record during a post-game press conference. "He's played very well in his last three to four starts. He's grinded every night and for the past five years he has been the backbone of this program, so we're happy we got the bounces and gave him the support to get the win tonight."
First-year forward
Brett Harasymuk (Yorkton, Sask.) also had some weight taken off his shoulders with his first career OUA point and goal. Taking a pass in the slot from
Matthieu Gomercic (Winnipeg, Man.), he rifled a wrist shot top corner to cap off Ridgeback's scoring.
The evening also saw multi-point performances from forwards
Jake Bricknell (Port Perry, Ont.),
Danny Elser (Hopewell Juncton, N.Y.) and
Malik Johnson (Montreal, Que.).
"We didn't change up the game plan much actually," said Hodgins when asked about adjustments after being shutout last weekend against the Lakers. "I thought last time was one of our better games, we just couldn't score."
That was not an issue this time around, as the Ridgebacks cashed in at five-on-five, on the power play and shorthanded.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Ridgebacks, who return to the ice on Sunday for a matinee with the McGill Redmen. Puck drop is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre.
•
Alex Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) opened the scoring for UOIT, outwaiting goaltender Brent Moran, and depositing his second of the season.
• Nipissing answered when defenseman Matt Donnelly's point shot ricocheted off Lucas Brown in front of the net midway through the first period.
• UOIT regained the lead for good following a turnover behind the Lakers' net, as
Malik Johnson fed
Jake Bricknell for the game-winning goal.
• Just 18 seconds into the second period, Bricknell stepped over the blue line and blasted a shot blocker side for the insurance marker.
• With
Jack Patterson in the box, Johnson went to work shorthanded, centering a backhanded pass to
Josh Maguire (Cobourg, Ont.) for the Ridgebacks fourth of the night.
• In the third period, some beautiful triangular passing led to a chance in the crease for
Bryce Fiske (La Ronge, Sask.), which he finished on the rebound.
• At 7:56 of the third, Harasmyuk sealed the game with his first career goal.
•
Brendan O'Neill stood tall for UOIT, stopping 32 of 33 shots.
• Brent Moran turned aside 37 shots in the loss for the Lakers.
Overall Record: 14-8-4
Conference Record: 12-6-4
Next Game: Sunday, Jan. 20 vs. McGill Redmen • 12:30 p.m. – Campus Ice Centre
