OSHAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech Ridgebacks men's hockey team fell short in a high-scoring affair against the UQTR Patriotes, losing 7-3 in school day game Friday afternoon.

The game hosted several schools from throughout the Durham Region and saw over 460 kids in attendance for the game.

The Ridgebacks struggled to keep pace early, conceding two goals. UQTR's Loris Rafanomezantsoa opened the scoring at 9:10, followed by a power-play goal from Vincent Milot-Ouellet at 13:23. Ontario Tech was outshot 11-6 in the frame, with goaltender Beckett Langkow making nine saves to keep the game within reach.

The Ridgebacks found their stride midway through the second but not before UQTR extended their lead to 4-0 with goals from Edouard Cournoyer and Charles-Antoine Pilote. Ontario Tech's Marko Jakovljevic responded at 5:48, cutting into the deficit. Langkow turned aside seven of nine shots as the Ridgebacks managed to claw back some momentum with a 7-7 shot tally for the period.

Ontario Tech narrowed the gap to 4-2 early in the third, thanks to Kyle Leonard's first of two goals at 3:51. However, UQTR regained control with two markers from Felix Lafrance and a late insurance goal by Pier-Olivier Roy. Leonard added his second for the Ridgebacks at 16:15, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide. Langkow finished the period with six saves on nine shots.