Ridgebacks open 2026 with overtime win

OSHAWA, Ont. – The Ontario Tech women's hockey team kicked off 2026 with a hard-fought 3–2 overtime victory over the Nipissing Lakers on Wednesday night, getting the winner from Milana Perri just over two minutes into the extra frame.

Perri finished with a goal and an assist, sealing the decision at 2:03 of overtime after Nipissing erased a late third-period deficit. Emily Harrison picked up the helper on the play, as the Ridgebacks improved their record in a tightly contested matchup at Ontario Tech.

Ontario Tech opened the scoring midway through the first period when Kiana Danielson scored at 9:10, with Perri collecting the assist. Nipissing responded on the power play late in the period, as Melissa Svienson tied the game at 17:06.

The Ridgebacks regained the lead early in the second period on a goal from Zoe Wilson, set up by Mackenna Krulicki and Cassandra Delves, but Nipissing pushed back again in the third. Tessa Kosec evened the score at 18:42, forcing overtime.

In the extra session, Ontario Tech controlled the pace before Perri capitalized on a scoring chance to end the game.

The Ridgebacks will be back to work on Friday, January 9 when they take to the road for a match up with the Windsor Lancers.