After two hard-fought games, the Carleton Ravens women’s hockey team managed to defeat their cross-town rivals from the University of Ottawa (U of O) 4-2 on Jan. 16, but could not repeat the results Jan. 18, falling 3-1.
The Ravens were forced to go on the penalty kill early in the first game, but despite that the Ravens managed to fend off various U of O attacks, and first-year goalie Katelyn Steele having to make a few key saves.
U of O was able to strike first after a shot from forward Vickie Lemire slid past the glove of Steele. The Gee-Gees would stay ahead for the rest of the period.
The second period featured a Ravens team that continuously pressured the U of O defence, getting shots off and connecting for key passes. Both teams were engaged in a back and forth battle for the puck, with neither side showing signs of giving up.
The Ravens’ patience and persistence paid off in the 12th minute, when first-year forward Sidney Weiss put the puck in the back of the net.
Less than a minute later, Ravens forward Audrey-Ann Boutour put her team ahead 2-1 after pouncing on a puck that slid through the Gee-Gees defence.
Despite playing shorthanded for the latter half of the period, the Ravens defended well, stopping the Gee-Gees from mounting a counter-attack.
Eight minutes into the third period, the Gee-Gees were able to score the equalizer, with forward Shanie Deschatelets taking advantage of the power-play.
Minutes later, Ravens defender Robyn Belland netted her first goal for the Ravens, putting her team up by one.
Ravens defender Rebecca Dow capped off the Ravens’ victory with a last minute empty-netter. The game ended with the Ravens out-shooting the Gee-Gees 36-32.
“We played as a team and when we play as a team, we’re tough to beat,” Ravens head coach Pierre Alain said.
Alain praised his team for the character they showed during the game, despite being a goal down in the first period.
“We started skating and pushing, and we were pressuring them hard,” he said. “I think we spent three quarters of the period in their half, so it shows a lot of character, and this is what this team is all about.”
In their second game, the Ravens were not able to get the luck to fall, as they were bested 3-1 on the road against the Gee-Gees.
The weekend games leave the Ravens at 3-9, one win behind the Gee-Gees in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec playoff hunt.
“Our progression is exactly where we thought it was going to be,” said Alain. “[If] we keep working, we keep progressing, and when we progress, we improve and every day that’s the only thing I ask for.”
