Ridgebacks punch quarterfinal ticket after gritty victory in North Bay
NORTH BAY, Ont. – The Ontario Tech women's hockey team is moving on to the quarterfinals of the OUA Playoffs after earning a 2–1 victory over the Nipissing Lakers in the play-in game on Friday morning.
After a scoreless opening period, Nipissing struck midway through the second to take a 1–0 lead. The Ridgebacks responded with sustained pressure late in the frame and were rewarded at 17:50, when Mackenna Krulicki finished off a strong push to even the score 1–1 heading into the intermission.
Ontario Tech carried that momentum into the third period and capitalized at 13:41. Emily Harrison found the back of the net for the eventual game-winner, giving the Ridgebacks their first lead of the contest.
Zoe McGee was sharp in goal, stopping 24 of 25 shots to secure the win. Ontario Tech controlled much of the play, outshooting Nipissing 36–25, including an 18-shot surge in the second period.
With the victory, the Ridgebacks advance to the quarterfinals of the OUA Playoffs against the Queen's Gaels. Game one is set for Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Kingston, Ont., before the series shifts back to Oshawa on Friday, February 27 at 7 p.m. at the Campus Ice Centre.
Fans can purchase tickets in advance at goridgebacks.com/tickets. Admission is free for Ontario Tech students and staff.
Latest Athletics General News
- Sold-out crowd sees quarterfinal series evened at oneThe Ontario Tech women's hockey team will head back to Kingston, Ont. for a decisive Game 3 after falling 3–1 to the Queen's Gaels in Game 2 of the OUA quarterfinals on Friday night at a sold-out Campus Ice Centre.
- Baker earns second OUA Second Team All-Star honourOntario Tech guard Keon Baker has earned OUA Second Team All-Star honours for the second time in his career following another standout season with the Ridgebacks.
- Ridgebacks take game 1 with landmark 4–2 win over Queen’sThe Ontario Tech women's hockey team earned the first quarterfinal victory in program history on Wednesday, February 25, defeating the Queen's Gaels 4–2 on the road.
- Ridgebacks eliminated with 4–0 loss in Game 2The Ontario Tech men's hockey team saw its season come to a close on Friday night, falling 4–0 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in Game 2 of the OUA Playoffs.
- Ridgebacks fall 2–1 in marathon playoff openerThe Ontario Tech men's hockey team pushed Game 1 of the OUA Playoffs to the brink on Wednesday night, battling through double overtime before falling 2–1 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees at the Campus Ice Centre.
- Ontario Tech lacrosse giving back to the gameSuccess for the Ontario Tech lacrosse program extended well beyond the turf this past year, as several student-athletes made a meaningful impact in the community by coaching the next generation of players to championship seasons.
