TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que. – Josh Maguire's (Cobourg, Ont.) shootout goal was the only one through eight shooters as the UOIT men's hockey team held on for a 4-3 victory to open their weekend against the UQTR Patriotes on Friday night.
A pair of hat-tricks in regulation had the teams in a 3-3 deadlock.
Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) notched all three Ridgeback goals, while Olivier Caouette scored for the Patriotes.
The teams will do it all again on Saturday as they complete back-to-back games at 3 p.m. at Le Colisee.
As of late the Ridgebacks have had the Patriotes number. After losing 14 straight games against UQTR to start the program's play in the OUA, UOIT has turned the corner and have won the last four meetings – dating back to February 2017.
• Captain
Danny Elser had his third three-point night of his career and first career hat-trick to lead the Ridgebacks offence. He scored twice in the opening period, adding his third goal in the second frame.
• Maguire scored the lone goal in the shootout between the two teams.
• Olivier Caouette matched Elser, scoring three goals in the first two periods for UQTR.
• Opening the back-to-back games against the Patriotes,
Michael Bullion (Anchorage, Alaska) made 31 saves for the Ridgebacks in his seventh OUA win.
• Sebastien Auger turned aside 34 UOIT shots in the loss for UQTR.
Overall Record: 11-6-1 (W-L-OTL)
Conference Record: 8-5-1
Next Game: Saturday, Nov. 17 @ UQTR Patriotes • 3 p.m. – Trois-Rivières, Que.
