Ravens earn game one win in overtime thriller
OTTAWA, Ont. - A resilient effort wasn't enough for the Gee-Gee men's hockey team, as they fell by a score of 3-2 in overtime to the Carleton Ravens to open the OUA Playoffs.
"The effort level was there. Positives are that we came back, scored a big goal to tie things up," said head coach Patrick Grandmaître following the game. "We had a lot of time in their zone, a lot of shots. But that's a good team, it takes a perfect game from our side to beat them. There's a reason why they're ahead of us and they showed it tonight."
Just nine seconds into the contest, the Gee-Gees found themselves on the power play. However, the man advantage was unsuccessful, and struggled all game long, with the Gee-Gees ultimately finishing zero-for-six on the night.
Later on, a misplay while attacking on the power play gifted a chance to Carleton. Ravens forward Curtis Meighan wasted no time burying a shorthanded goal through the five-hole.
The Gee-Gees however returned the favour in the second period, when Brendan Jacome evaded attackers and buried a wrist shot for a shorthanded goal to tie the game. Meighan's second goal of the night came just two minutes later would quickly restore the one goal lead for Carleton.
In the third period, Ottawa pressed aggressively in search of an equalizing goal. Hope was dwindling, but with only two minutes on the clock, Jacob Hanlon collected a loose puck in the crease and fired it home to force overtime.
The Gee-Gees used their speed to create chances in the extra frame. Cody Drover and Antoine Pouliot exchanged chances, but Carleton's netminder François Brassard stood tall for the Ravens.
At the other end of the ice, Ryan Van Stralen drove hard to the net, and toppled over following an aggressive check from Cody Van Lierop. The play was enough to warrant a holding penalty against Van Lierop, and sent Carleton to a rare overtime power play. Seconds later, Adam Chapman collected a rebound in tight, and scored to secure the win for the Ravens.
"If you look at special teams, they end up getting one on the power play. Both teams got one on the penalty kill. Sometimes those make the difference" said Grandmaître. "We had a lot of power play opportunities, and they put a lot of pressure. We knew that coming in, we knew that can frustrate us. We tried not to let it frustrate us, but sometimes it's not easy. We need to go watch some tape and figure things out."
Game two is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Minto Sports Complex on Friday. If the Gee-Gees can force another game, it will take place at Carleton's Ice House on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Source: Ottawa Gee-Gees