MONTREAL, Que. – The Ontario Tech men's hockey team secured sixth place heading in the OUA's  eastern conference playoffs with a 5-3 win over McGill University on Saturday evening.
 
The win not only gives the Ridgebacks a boost of confidence before the postseason begins, but also snaps a nine-game loosing streak against McGill, with two coming in last year's playoffs.
 
After claiming a 3-1 lead early in the third period, Ontario Tech watched as McGill tied the game with a pair of quick goals less than five minutes later. As the game tightened the Ridgebacks remained calm and eventually capitalized with Austin Eastman (Lindsay, Ont.) potting his second of the game.
 
The Ridgebacks now have to wait to see who their opponent will be for their opening playoff round, They will either play the Ottawa Gee-Gees who currently hold third place, or McGill who can claim third spot with a win and a Gee-Gees loss in OUA action tomorrow.
 

LIGHT THE LAMP

• Jordan-Ty Fournier opened the games scoring with a shorthanded goal 12:00 into the first and added a second goal at 4:11 of the third to tie the game 3-3.
• Eastman buried a shot from the slot to tie the game 1-1 just 1:12 into the second frame, before eventually scoring the game-winning goal with 6:15 left in regulation for his 15^th of the season.

MHKY | 🚨Ridgebacks Goal🚨 Austin Eastman buries his second of the game late in the third period to regain the lead for the Ridgebacks!@ontariotech_u - 4@McGillAthletics - 3#RidgebacksPride pic.twitter.com/hH2S595r5f

— Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (@OT_Ridgebacks) February 8, 2020

• Jack Patterson (Bedford, N.S.) gave the Ridgebacks their first lead of the game 9:16 into the second, sniping short side after a cross-ice feed from Nicolas Tardif (Chelsea, Que.). He also sealed the game with the empty netter with only 37 seconds remaining.
• Jake Bricknell (Port Perry, Ont.) gave the Ridgebacks the 3-1 only 52 seconds into the third period, burying a rebound chance after a JC Thivierge (Welland, Ont.) rush.
• Antoine Dufont-Plante cut the Ridgeback lead to 3-2 just 2:47 after Bricknell's goal.
 

BETWEEN THE PIPES

• Michael Bullion (Anchorage, Alaska) made 31 saves in picking up the win.
• Emanuel Vella allowed four goals on 39 shots in the loss.
 

RIDGEBACKS AT A GLANCE

Overall Record: 16-14-3
Conference Record: 13-12-3
 
Next Game: OUA PLAYOFFS Wednesday, Feb. 12 vs. TBD (7:30 p.m. – Campus Ice Centre)