Leader scores late to lift Rams to big win
TORONTO, Ont. – The Ryerson Rams have begun their playoffs on the right foot, as they took down the Western Mustangs 4-2 on Wednesday night to take game one of the best-of-three first round series.
Throughout the first period, the Rams were deadlocked with their first round rivals, fighting hard on every square inch of ice to gain an advantage. With the Rams defense providing significant safeguarding for Ryerson netminder Taylor Dupuis (New Liskeard, Ont.), the fan-favourite goalkeeper only had to contest with three Western shots throughout the entirety of the frame.
In spite of this significant offensive showcase, the defensive fortifications of both teams resulted a 0-0 tie to conclude the first period, leaving the fans in the Mattamy waiting on the edge of their seats for the first goal of the game.
And thankfully for the fans in attendance, it would be the Rams who would be the first team to claim this honour.
While majority of the second period consisted of a very similar level of activity to that of the first, the Rams were eventually able to break the ice thanks to a very skillful display from veteran Rams forward Aaron Armstrong (Teeswater, Ont.) who tapped in his first goal of the playoffs to give his team the 1-0 edge in the final moments of the second frame.
The Rams were able to carry the momentum they obtained in the second period into the final frame of the contest, as Devon Paliani (LaSalle, Ont.) pocketed the Rams second goal of the contest.
Less than three minutes after the goal by Paliani, two quick contributions from Stephen Desrocher (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Mitchell Fitzmorris would tie up the game at 2-2, and leave an evident atmosphere of tension within the Mattamy as it seemed that the Rams may have blown a gasket in the final frame of the contest.
The Rams however, seemed to have learned their lesson from the last time they played the Mustangs, and were determined to seek retribution.
With less than two minutes to play in the match, Rams veteran Alex Leader (Toronto, Ont.) would put the Rams up 3-2, and teammate Steven Harland (Toronto, Ont.) would later provide an empty-netter to provide the Rams with the eventual 4-2 victory.
Heading into the next match-up, the Rams will be taking on Western at the Thompson Arena. With the Rams holding the series advantage heading into London, Devon Paliani seemed fairly confident in the team's ability to win the series, so long as they can stick to the game plan.