Box Score There's no such thing as an ugly victory.

The game tape will likely provide plenty for them to work on, but the Waterloo Warriors men's hockey team got off on the right foot on Thursday night with a 3-2 win over the UOIT Ridgebacks in their season and home opener at the Columbia Icefield Arena.

Newcomers Chris Chappell (Pickering/) and Luke Lynes (Washington/) each had two assists in the win for the Warriors, including one helper each on a Kain Allicock (Markham/) power play game-winner mid-way through the second period. Kevin George almost brought the Ridgebacks back from a 3-0 deficit by himself, scoring both goals for the visitors.

Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon/) got the win between the pipes for the Warriors, stopping 32 shots in the victory. Colin Dzijacky took the loss for the Ridgebacks, steering aside 23 pucks.

The raucous crowd of 452 was treated to some bouncing pucks and disjointed play in the opening minutes, but the Warriors were able to strike first in the late stages of the opening frame. On a delayed penalty, Chappell centered to a pinching Ryan Molle (Calgary/), who made one move to the backhand and slid the puck home, igniting the Warriors faithful.

The Warriors struck again only 40 seconds later when Brett Mackie (Whitby/) knocked home a loose puck at the feet of Dzijacky for a 2-0 Waterloo lead. The play was created by defenceman Stephen Silas (Georgetown/), who kept the puck in at the line and shed four checks as he barged the puck down low and around the net before funneling it towards the crease.

Waterloo continued to carry the momentum in the second period, and Allicock tipped home a Lynes wrister on the man advantage to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead. The Ridgebacks turned up the physical play and found themselves on the board soon after that, as George converted a drop pass on a 4-on-2, sneaking a shot between Leclerc's blocker and his body.

The third period saw the return of disjointed play and bouncing pucks, as each team missed some golden opportunities when they couldn't corral a bouncing disk. The Ridgebacks struck late when George, breaking in on the left wing, fired a laser top-corner over Leclerc's catching glove. The Ridgebacks couldn't create another solid chance though, and the Warriors claimed victory.

The Warriors now turn their focus to the Queen's Gaels, who will visit the Columbia Icefield Arena on Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 6:30 pm.

Notes: The Warriors went 1-for-6 on the power play, while UOIT went 0-4…Warriors forward Andy Smith (Rosetown/) played in his 100^th combined regular season/playoff game...Molle's goal was his first regular season marker since November 26, 2011.