The Carleton Ravens women’s hockey team lost in a hard-fought 1-0 game against the Nipissing Lakers at the Ice House on Friday night.
The Ravens have now lost four straight games and have yet to win a game at home this season.
“I actually think that’s the most complete game our team has played this year,” Ravens head coach Stacey Colarossi said after the game.
“I think we played well up and down the ice. I think there was a lot of passion, I think we stripped pucks and our transition was good.”
It was a defensive battle between the Ravens and Lakers, with a deadlock 0-0 score after two periods.
The Ravens had quality scoring chances in the second period, including odd-man rushes, wide-open shots and chances on the power play.
“That two-on-one I want back, for sure,” Ravens captain Avery Krawchuck said, referencing a second-period chance. “We just need to bear down on the chances we get and get the puck in the net.”
“I counted eight grade-A scoring chances, and we just have to capitalize on some of those chances,” Colarossi added.
The game was scoreless until early in the third period when Lakers defenseman Megan Hayhurst ripped a shot from the point that got tipped in by Elizabeth Laberge.
The Ravens pushed hard for the rest of the period, but two penalties in the last five minutes cost the Ravens any chance they had at tying the game.
“I thought the late penalty and the penalty on [Victoria Kay] late in the game were both terrible calls in a one-goal game,” Colarossi said.
The Ravens outshot the visiting squad in all three periods, but they were unable to beat Lakers goaltender Alexandra Lehmann, who was perfect in her 28-save shutout.
This is the fourth time that the Ravens have been held without a goal this season.
Ravens goalie Kaitlyn Langille was also strong in the crease, stopping 21 of 22 shots for a 95.5 per cent save percentage.
“I thought she was fantastic tonight — she gave us the opportunity to win today,” Colarossi said.
“She’s usually unreal for us,” Krawchuk added. “I thought she stood on her head and gave us a chance to actually win that game.”
With the loss, the Ravens fall to 2-10 on the season and are stuck in last place in the OUA Eastern Conference.
Colarossi is trying to remain optimistic about the season despite another tough loss.
“It’s hard to be sitting in the spot that we’re in, but I think we’re laying good foundations,” she said.
“You’re seeing improvements in our gameplay from one period to the next.”
A struggling power play and mediocre penalty kill left the Ravens with the league’s highest goals against and the third-fewest goals scored this season.
“Our special teams obviously need to improve,” Colarossi said. “We’re struggling five on five and we’re struggling five on four.”
Krawchuk still believes in her squad.
“I think we’re a pretty young group — everyone’s still fired up and excited to be here,” the Ravens captain said. “We’re so close, and we know that it’s coming.”
Featured image by Kyla Silva/the Charlatan
