AROUND OUA: Ridgebacks' win-streak ends with last second goal
OSHAWA, Ont. – 10.9 seconds. That was the length of time that separated the UOIT men's hockey team from their fourth straight victory. Carleton would end up spoiling the party as Ryan Van Stralen scored the game-tying goal that led to the eventual five-round shootout victory over the Ridgebacks Thursday night at the Campus Ice Centre.
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Ridgebacks' win-streak ends with last second goal
OSHAWA, Ont. – 10.9 seconds. That was the length of time that separated the UOIT men's hockey team from their fourth straight victory. Carleton would end up spoiling the party as Ryan Van Stralen scored the game-tying goal that led to the eventual five-round shootout victory over the Ridgebacks Thursday night at the Campus Ice Centre.
After fighting off a late two-minute penalty, UOIT failed to get the puck out of their end as Carleton pressed for the equalizer with their goaltender pulled. Off a scramble in the crease, Van Stralen found a way to beat goaltender Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) to tie the game at two goals apiece.
Five minutes of 4-on-4 followed by five more of 3-on-3 would solve nothing, as a shootout was needed to break the tie.
UOIT's Danny Elser (Hopewell Junction, NY) put the Ridgebacks up 1-0, but Mitch Zion scored on Carleton's third attempt to extend the shootout. In the fifth round, Brent Norris beat O'Neill followed by Alex Derlis (Campbellcroft, Ont.) ringing his attempt off the post to give Carleton the extra point.
With the win, Carleton extends their season long win streak to six games.
UOIT would come out firing scoring the opening two goals just seven minutes into the first period. Elser would get UOIT on the board with a power play goal with Alex Yuill (Wellington, Ont.) and Luke VanMoerkerke (Tillsonburg, Ont.) recording assists. James Woodcroft (Milton, Ont.) would follow up Elser's goal with an unassisted effort, his eighth goal of the season.
Joey West's goal would ignite the Carleton comeback midway through the second period while Van Stralen's game-tying goal was his 15th overall and fourth in his last five games.
O'Neill was brilliant in net for UOIT making 44 saves including 20 in the third period. Carleton would end up outshooting UOIT 47-23. O'Neill is second in the OUA with 655 saves.
At the other end of the ice, Francis Dupuis was pulled after allowing two goals on five shots in the first period. Patrick Killeen stopped all 18 shots he faced in relief.
The Ridgeback penalty-killing unit was impressive holding the top-five Ravens' power play 0-for-6 with the man advantage. UOIT was 1-for-4 with a man up.
It will be a very quick turnaround for the Ridgebacks as they host the RMC Paladins on Friday afternoon at noon in UOIT's inaugural school day game.
Source: UOIT Ridgebacks
Rams shutout Gryphons in 5-0 victory
TORONTO - A couple Ryerson Rams veterans stole the show Thursday night to give the Rams a 5-0 statement win over the Guelph Gryphons.
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Mitch Gallant recorded his second career hat trick in natural fashion to lead the charge in the offensive category, while Rams starter Troy Passingham continued his stellar play between the posts with his second shutout in three games.
The impressive win comes against the defending OUA champs and should give the Rams a much needed confidence boost down the stretch.
"(Winning's) a good feeling," said Gallant after the game. "But we need to re-focus. We have Windsor on Saturday that beat us 2-1 last week in our own rink and we're looking for a little revenge on them."
With the win the Rams improved to 3-0 against the Gryphons this season, defeating them 2-1 and then 4-2 earlier this year.
Lucas Froese returned to the lineup after being scratched against the Lancers and proved his importance in this one. His third of the year opened up the floodgates for the Rams. Jamie Lewis sent a quick pass in front to Froese who made no mistake on the deflection to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.
The Rams then doubled up the lead thanks to Gallant's first of the night. Gallant sneaked in on the off the wing and blasted home a one-timer for his fifth of the year.
The off wing goal is something that Rams fans have seen multiple times this season from Gallant and there's no sign it will be stopping anytime soon.
"I like playing on the off wing," said Gallant. "I find I'm able to get my stick in the middle of the ice more and it's a better angle for me."
After twenty minutes the Rams finished with the lone two goals and dominated in shots as well, outshooting the Gryphons 12-3 in the frame.
After Gryphons starter Scott Stajcer left the game with an apparent shoulder injury, Keith Hamilton checked in for his first taste of CIS hockey and was given the responsibility of trying to stop the bleeding for the Gryphons.
The bleeding would continue into the second however after Gallant whacked home his second of the night just 3:32 into the period. Brandon Devlin took a slap shot from the point that deflected off the end boards and in front to Gallant, who sent it past replacement goaltender Hamilton for the marker.
The Rams then continued to rub salt in the wound with a play that often goes unseen, a penalty shot. Gallant was hauled down while all by his lonesome to set the table for a unique and dramatic opportunity for a third goal.
Gallant then impressed the crowd with his best Patrick Kane impression. With a few swift flicks of the stick he was able to fool Hamilton and open up the five-hole, where he then slide the puck for his seventh of the season.
It took just 20:48 for Gallant to pull off his hat trick and sent the Rams to the locker room with a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Marcus Hinds then rounded out the offense with his first CIS goal and Passingham shut things down on the defensive side of things to give the Rams a huge 5-0 win over the Gryphons.
Passingham looked like his typical self-Saturday night, turning aside all of the 34 shots he faced.
"You have to look right at our goaltender," said head coach Graham Wise following the game. "He was a wall out there and you have to give him credit."
With two shutouts in his last three games, it's safe to say that the fifth year is feeling quite comfortable in the crease.
"I feel really good out there. I'm just keeping it simple with good positioning," said Passingham. "I'm just seeing the puck really well right now and it has contributed to success the last couple games."
With the two points the Rams now move to within one point of the Windsor Lancers for fourth in the West, a team that the Rams are set to take on come Saturday.
The results between the Lancers and Toronto on Friday could dictate whether or not the Rams could pass the Lancers with a win this weekend.
"If we can get some wind under our belt then we get some confidence," said Wise. "The cohesion gets better and everyone starts liking each other a little better. We have a good team in there and anytime we can put wins up on the board it's a positive thing as we move through and hopefully clinch a playoff spot."
Saturday night's game is scheduled for a 7:30 pm start at the South Windsor Arena and can be seen live on OUA.tv.
Source: Ryerson Rams
