The Carleton Ravens women’s hockey team fell to 1-5 Friday night as they struggled to find any offensive production in a 1-0 overtime loss to York on home turf.
The game opened with plenty of back-and-forth action, with both teams trading chances at either end of the ice.
The Ravens gained momentum late in the period after a productive penalty kill but couldn’t solve Lions goaltender Emma Wedgewood, who earned her second shutout of the season in the win.
“We needed more speed coming across their O-line,” head coach Stacey Colarossi said after the game.
“York plays a really tight defensive game, so you have to basically attack off the rush.”
The Ravens came out swinging to start the second frame, dominating the offensive zone and tallying seven shots on goal in the first five minutes, outshooting York 9-5.
The teams traded power plays throughout the period, but neither could convert. Lions forward Natasha Lange took a tripping penalty in the final minute, giving Carleton a power play to open the third.
But the momentum was short-lived as Carleton forward Victoria Kay was called for interference in the first minute of the final frame.
“I thought we were just really connected in the second period,” Ravens Captain Avery Krawchuk said.
“We were playing a good team game and got lots more offensive opportunities, but we lost it a little bit in the third.”
The Ravens struggled to control the puck or connect passes as the Lions continued to pressure their defence. When they needed her most, goaltender Kaitlyn Langille stayed calm to keep her team in it, making 13 saves in the final period.
“I think that’s probably her most complete game I’ve seen her play so far this year,” Colarossi said.
“So it’s nice to have that from her. When she’s solid back there, it gives us an opportunity to win any game. We’ve just got to put one over the line.”
Although the Ravens pushed the pace in the final minutes, the game was sent to three-on-three overtime with shots sitting 29–21 in York’s favour.
Carleton held control of the puck for most of overtime, with the best chance coming from Erica Buckley, who cut through the middle of the ice and took a quick shot at the net.
Wedgewood stayed with her to make the save and gave the puck to York defenceman Dielle Hall-Paradis, who made a stretch pass to Lola Massey. Massey gathered the puck and fired glove-side past Langille to end the game.
“I thought they had a strong forecheck, which was hard,” Krawchuk said.
“They were all over us, but I thought we battled through it, which was really good. I liked our resilience throughout the game.”
The Ravens, still without a regulation win to start the season, will look to rebound against Laurier to close out their weekend set.
“This team does have good speed once we get going,” Colarossi said. “If we can clean that up, we’re going to have some offensive chances and grade-A chances, which hopefully turn into a scoreboard on our side.”
Featured image by Murray Oliver/the Charlatan
