Badgers simply not ready in loss to Ridgebacks

Posted By ROD MAWHOOD, Special to The Standard

Posted 22 days ago

One could tell from their first shift that the Brock Badgers men's hockey team wasn't ready to go Wednesday night at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.

The end result was a 6-4 loss to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks.

Head coach Murray Nystrom ripped into his squad at the end of the first period, then held a 35-minute closed door meeting after the Badgers dropped their fourth decision in five games.

"It wasn't just a one-way conversation," Nystrom said. "They're mature men and they've been around the game long enough to understand the difference between what's acceptable and what's not acceptable in terms of performance."

The Badgers (5-4) started the season a perfect 4-0 and prided themselves on team defence and effort — neither of which was present Wednesday night.

"We played like it was pond hockey," Nystrom said. "We're not going to be successful playing that way.

"Part of it is rediscovering who we are and what type of team we are and what makes us successful. Six goals against and what were the shots? We're a team that needs to keep teams under 25 shots because our strength is our defensive play and defensive positioning. And if we're not committed to that, what you saw tonight is what happens."

Third-year assistant captain Ryan Allen agreed with Nystrom and thought his coach's open-fourm approach in the dressing room after the contest met its desired effect.

"At first, we were kind of thrown off because he asked what everybody thought," Allen said. "But after we went around the room, guys began to say some things. He (Nystrom) told us we aren't the same team from the first four or five games of the year.

"Guys weren't ready tonight, it's that simple."

The one positive for the Badgers is they'll have a chance for redemption against the Ridgebacks Saturday night in Oshawa.

"We can regroup over the next few days," Nystrom said. "Thankfully, tonight wasn't our last game of the season."

Brock returns home Nov.r 13 against the surprising first-year Nipissing Lakers. Game time at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre is 7:30 p.m.

Notes: The Badgers were outshot in every period, including 11-5 in the third.… Former Thorold Blackhawk Nathan Spaling scored twice and finished with four points for UOIT.… Niagara on the Lake's Gary Friesen was ejected late in the third period for trying to instigate a fight.… Goaltender Mark Yetman was pulled in favour of Jordan Bent after the Ridgebacks' scored their fourth goal early in the second period.

The SCOOP

Ridgebacks 6 Badgers 4

Standard Star of the Game: UOIT Ridgebacks forward Kyle Wetering with the hat trick.

For the Brock Badgers: Steve Mullin (3), Derek Brochu (5), Gary Friesen (3), Steve Pattison (3).

For the UOIT Ridgebacks: Wetering 3; Nathan Spaling 2; Scott Baker.

Game stats: Shots on goal: by the Badgers on Jason Guy 19, by the Ridgebacks on Mark Yetman/Jordan Bent 33; Penalty minutes: Brock 34, UOIT 26; Power plays: Brock 0-for-8, UOIT 3-for-9.

Attendance: 177

Up next: Brock visits UOIT Saturday night in Oshawa. The Badgers' next home game is Nov. 13 against the Nipissing Lakers at Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre at 7:30 p.m.