M-Hockey Roundup: UOIT plays four games in first week of OUA action
October 10
UOIT 2 at Waterloo 3
There's no such thing as an ugly victory.
The game tape will likely provide plenty for them to work on, but the Waterloo Warriors men's hockey team got off on the right foot on Thursday night with a 3-2 win over the UOIT Ridgebacks in their season and home opener at the Columbia Icefield Arena.
Newcomers Chris Chappell (Pickering) and Luke Lynes (Washington) each had two assists in the win for the Warriors, including one helper each on a Kain Allicock (Markham) power play game-winner midway through the second period. Kevin George almost brought the Ridgebacks back from a 3-0 deficit by himself, scoring both goals for the visitors.
Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon) got the win between the pipes for the Warriors, stopping 32 shots in the victory. Colin Dzijacky took the loss for the Ridgebacks, steering aside 23 pucks.
The raucous crowd of 452 was treated to some bouncing pucks and disjointed play in the opening minutes, but the Warriors were able to strike first in the late stages of the opening frame. On a delayed penalty, Chappell centered to a pinching Ryan Molle (Calgary), who made one move to the backhand and slid the puck home, igniting the Warriors faithful.
The Warriors struck again only 40 seconds later when Brett Mackie (Whitby) knocked home a loose puck at the feet of Dzijacky for a 2-0 Waterloo lead. The play was created by defenceman Stephen Silas (Georgetown), who kept the puck in at the line and shed four checks as he barged the puck down low and around the net before funneling it towards the crease.
Waterloo continued to carry the momentum in the second period, and Allicock tipped home a Lynes wrister on the man advantage to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead. The Ridgebacks turned up the physical play and found themselves on the board soon after that, as George converted a drop pass on a 4-on-2, sneaking a shot between Leclerc's blocker and his body.
The third period saw the return of disjointed play and bouncing pucks, as each team missed some golden opportunities when they couldn't corral a bouncing disk. The Ridgebacks struck late when George, breaking in on the left wing, fired a laser top-corner over Leclerc's catching glove. The Ridgebacks couldn't create another solid chance though, and the Warriors claimed victory.
The Warriors now turn their focus to the Queen's Gaels, who will visit the Columbia Icefield Arena on Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 6:30 p.m.
Notes: The Warriors went 1-for-6 on the power play, while UOIT went 0-4…Warriors forward Andy Smith (Rosetown) played in his 100th combined regular season/playoff game...Molle's goal was his first regular season marker since November 26, 2011.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
Laurentian 1 at York 6
The York University Lions men's hockey team improved to 2-0-0 on the season with a dominating 6-1 victory over the Laurentian Voyageurs in its home opener at Canlan Ice Sports on Thursday night (Oct. 10).
Fourth-year winger Michael Lombardi (Richmond Hill, Ont.) had four points on the night, with one goal and three assists, while fifth-year right winger Jesse Messier (Keswick, Ont.) and second-year left winger Michael Santini (Woodbridge, Ont.) each recorded two goals and one assist.
Lombardi and Messier both have five points through the first two games of the season, the most of any player in the OUA.
The opening period began without much fanfare as neither team was able to generate much offensively. The Lions broke the deadlock 13 minutes in on a goal by defenceman Sam Gilbert (Montreal), his first of the season.
They increased their lead to two less than one minute later when Messier netted his first, and the Lions carried the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
Laurentian scored its first goal of the game 3:19 into the second period when Vincent Llorca (Le Mont-Dore, France) scored on the power play to cut the deficit to 2-1. However, the Lions pushed their advantage back up to two less than one minute later on a Santini power play goal.
Lombardi added another power play marker at 16:37 of the second to give the Lions a 4-1 lead after two periods.
The Voyageurs managed to keep the Lions at bay for most of the third period, until Messier took advantage of an empty Laurentian net to pot his second of the game at 17:18. Santini added another 30 seconds later to round out the scoring.
Also having a multi-point night was Mark Cross (Strasbourg, Sask.) with two assists.
Goaltender Andrew Perugini (King City, Ont.) picked up his second win in as many games with 23 saves on 24 shots. His counterpart, Alain Valiquette (Sudbury, Ont.), stopped 27 of the 32 shots he faced for the loss.
Thursday's game officially marked Laurentian's return to OUA competition after a 13-year hiatus.
The Lions will look to keep their season-opening winning streak going on Saturday night (Oct. 12) when they host the Nipissing Lakers in what will be Nipissing's regular-season opener. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Canlan Ice Sports.
Source: York Sports Info
October 9
Concordia 3 at UOIT 2
OSHAWA, Ont. - For the third straight game, the UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team was on the wrong end of a 3-2 final as the Concordia Stingers picked up a road victory in Oshawa Wednesday night.
The Ridgebacks could not find a way to stop second-year winger Olivier Hinse (Sherbrooke, Que.), as he netted a hat-trick in the Stingers opening game of the season.
Tied at 2-2 with just over two minutes remaining in the game, UOIT’s Brett Varrin (Ottawa, Ont.) was issued a four-minute penalty for high sticking, sending the Stingers to their fifth power play of the game. Concordia would capitalize on the golden opportunity as Hinse pounded home the game winner on a scramble in front of the net at the 18:44 minute mark.
Still down a man to close out the game, UOIT was unable to apply any offensive pressure as Concordia skated off with the one-goal victory.
A pair of Ridgeback veterans were the goal scorers for UOIT as Matt Pasztor (Langton, Ont.) and Luke VanMoerkerke (Tillsonburg, Ont.) lit the lamp. Pasztor buried a snap shot from the point midway through the first period, after receiving a D-to-D pass from freshman Jeff Braithwaite (Ennismore, Ont.) on the power play. VanMoerkerke scored on a second-effort attempt, as he picked up his second goal of the season at the 7:40 minute mark of the third period to level the score at 2-2.
Hinse finished the night with three goals while line mate Jessyco Bernard (Moncton, N.B.) had two assists.
Making his third start in net for UOIT to start the season, Colin Dzijacky (Thunder Bay, Ont.) stopped 33 shots in the losing effort. Antonio Mastropietro (Montreal) made 33 saves including 12 in the third period.
UOIT’s penalty killing unit did an excellent job throughout the night despite allowing the game winner late in the game. Concordia finished 1-for-6 with the man advantage while UOIT was successful on their only opportunity.
UOIT is 0-2-1 on the year, with all three losses coming at home by a score of 3-2. The Ridgebacks lone point came against York in their overtime loss. Concordia is 1-0-0 to start the year.
The Ridgebacks will have their first road game of their 2013-14 campaign on Thursday night as they head to Waterloo for the Warriors home opener. Puck drop at Columbia Ice Field is 7:30 p.m.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
October 5
York 3 at UOIT 2 OT
OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT men’s hockey team earned their first point of their regular season on Saturday with a 3-2 overtime loss to the York Lions.
Trailing 2-1 midway through the third period, UOIT captain Luke VanMoerkerke (Tillsonburg, Ont.) scored his first goal of the season to tie the game up at ones. The teams would go scoreless for the remainder of the period to send the game to overtime.
In the extra fame, York would eventually break the deadlock as Tyler McGhee scored with only six seconds left on the clock, giving the Lions the win in their season debut.
York captain Jesse Messier finished the night with two assists while Mike Lombardi was the other goal scorer.
Nate Mitton (Kitchener, Ont.) scored UOIT’s opening goal of the game which was the first of his career.
Colin Dzijacky (Thunder Bay, Ont.) looked strong as he made his second straight start in between the pipes for UOIT. The freshman made 29 saves off of 32 York shots while Andrew Perugini stopped 29 Ridgeback shots.
York was 1-for-3 on the power play and UOIT was 0-for-4.
The Ridgebacks next game is scheduled for Wednesday night when they host the Concordia Stingers. The game will be Concordia’s first action this season. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.
Source: UOIT Sports Info
October 3
Brock 3 at UOIT 2
OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks men’s hockey team could not overcome a three-goal deficit in their home opener on Thursday night as they fell to the Brock Badgers by a score of 3-2.
Trailing 3-0 late in the third period, UOIT would storm back with a pair of goals 35 seconds apart to put the Badgers back on their heels. Despite late pressure with the goaltender pulled, the Ridgebacks were unable to complete the comeback as Brock skated away with a 3-2 win and two points in the standings.
Brock shot out to a 1-0 lead as fifth year senior Josh Schram (Paris, Ont.) scored a wrap-around goal 27 seconds into the game. The veteran used his body to force the puck and UOIT goaltender Colin Dzijacky (Thunder Bay, Ont.) into the net. After a conference by the four officials, the goal would stand.
The Badgers would go on to score two goals in the early stages in the second period, with Ryan Purvis (Orillia, Ont.) and CJ Dickson (Thorold, Ont.) getting on the board. Dickson’s goal was a shorthanded marker.
Although UOIT trailed 3-0 heading into the third period, they were outshooting Brock 30-21.
In the late stages of the third period, James Diminie (Cobourg, Ont.) broke the ice for UOIT scoring with just over two minutes left to play. Mitch Bennett (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) picked up an assist on the play, as Diminie blasted one between the goaltenders left pad and glove.
With momentum on their side, UOIT would strike 35 seconds later when Matt Salituro (Toronto, Ont.) scored his first goal as a Ridgeback. Luke VanMoerkerke (Tillsonburg, Ont.) and Matt Pasztor (Langton, Ont.) had assists on the goal.
Much like the first 58 minutes of the game, Brock starting goaltender Dalton McGrath (Toronto, Ont.) stole the show for the remaining minute and a half as he made several key stops to preserve the one-goal victory. McGrath finished the night with 42 saves while Dzijacky stopped 24 of 27 shots in his Ridgeback debut.
Both teams finished 0-for-5 with the man-advantage in their season debut.
UOIT will look to pick up their first win of the year on Saturday night when they host the York Lions. Puck drop at the Campus Ice Centre is 7:30 p.m.
Source: UOIT Sports Info