Oshawa’s Ontario Tech upsets #1 ranked UQTR in men’s hockey

Normally a split in a pair of home games wouldn’t be anything to crow about but when one of the victories was against the top-ranked team in the country the Ontario Tech men’s hockey squad has reason to celebrate.

After a tough 6-2 loss on Friday against UQTR the Ridgebacks bounced back in a big way Saturday afternoon with a 5-2 victory over the No.1 ranked Patriotes.

The Ridgebacks (4-4) rode a stellar performance of goaltender William Desmarais and his 44 saves along with a huge third period to dethrone the Trois-Rivieres school.

Drew Toner opened the scoring for the Ridgebacks with just under three minutes left in the first period but UQTR (7-1) scored the next two goals to take the lead before the Oshawa school responded with third period goals from Sean Ross (2), James White and Justin Svenson to earn the victory.

Desmarais was honoured as male Athlete of the Week at the school for his efforts.
Ontario Tech’s next game will be at home on Friday against the Carleton Ravens. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.

The women’s team also moved to .500 on the weekend after recording their first blank slate of the season, a 1-0 win over Brock University on the road.

Katie Mikkelsen scored the lone goal in the second period on the power play. Brooke Vial recorded the shutout stopping 21 shots and picking up her second win this season. The win ties the season series with the Brock Badgers with each team coming away with a victory.

The Ridgebacks will make a stop in North Bay when they take on the Nipissing Lakers on November 9 and then return home to Oshawa to face the TMU Bold on November 12 at 3 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre.