The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team’s eight-game win streak came to a devastating end on Jan. 17 as they fell 5-3 to the Windsor Lancers at the Ice House.
They began their undefeated run all the way back on Nov. 9 with a 6-2 win against the RMC Paladins, reviving their season from a 2-8 record through their first 10 games.
Heading into the game, Carleton had picked up three recent victories against their crosstown rival, the uOttawa Gee-Gees. The spoiling Lancers ranked in the top three in the OUA West division, presenting a significant roadblock for the Ravens.
The Ravens struggled to find their footing early, allowing three goals in the opening seven minutes and trailing by four goals before the 15-minute mark. A misstep in the Ravens’ defensive zone six minutes into the game led to Windsor’s first goal by forward Brady Hinz. This was followed by two more in just over a minute as the Lancers quickly capitalized on Carleton’s inability to clear the puck.
“We did it to ourselves,” Ravens captain Blake Allan said. “There were some bad bounces, but our defensive zone coverage wasn’t where it needed to be and they’re a hard-working team that made us pay for those mistakes.”
The Ravens found traction with just over a minute to go in the first period, when forward Reese Belton found Nick McCarry in front of the net to put Carleton on the board with a backhand shot.
MHKY | McCarry puts the Ravens on the board! pic.twitter.com/jOycssHolC
— Carleton Ravens (@CURavens) January 18, 2025
The Ravens came out of the locker room with renewed focus for the second period. Despite Carleton’s improved play, the Lancers extended their lead to 5-1 with a rebound goal during a chaotic scramble in front of the net. Still, Carleton’s energy and determination set the stage for a push in the final frame.
“We knew we had to make a push after the first period,” McCarry said. “I thought we were the better team in the second and third periods, but those first 10 minutes really hurt us.”
Carleton found their stride in the final period, with go-to forward Gio Morneau scoring on the powerplay. Minutes later, Alex Fournier deposited another puck in the back of the net, bringing the Ravens within just two goals.
MHKY | Fournier tips one home and it's a two-goal game. pic.twitter.com/UniuDS4t9u
— Carleton Ravens (@CURavens) January 18, 2025
“The guys showed a lot of fight in the second and third,” Ravens head coach Mark Cavallin said. “We were more desperate and played with the urgency we needed from the start.”
As time wound down, Windsor sealed the game with an empty-net goal in the final minutes, ending Carleton’s comeback hopes.
Reflecting on the loss, Cavallin emphasized the importance of the group’s consistency.
“We had a great first five minutes, but one mistake gave them confidence, and we let it spiral from there,” he said. “We can’t make the game harder than it needs to be.”
Preparing for a game against Nipissing the following night on Jan. 18, the Ravens will need to regroup after their first loss in months.
“I thought for the majority of the game we were the better team,” Allan said. “But it shows that if you take five or 10 minutes off, you can lose a hockey game.
“If we can start tomorrow’s game the way we finished today, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.”
The Ravens will need to regroup quickly as they look to stay in the running for a playoff spot.
Featured photo by Marc Lafleur / Carleton Ravens
