In a do-or-die semifinal playoff game against the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes on Feb. 21, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team came up short in a 4-3 overtime loss.
The Ravens had previously played the Patriotes at home Feb. 19 in the first game of the playoff series, which they narrowly lost by a score of 2-1, also in overtime.
Game two of the series started off on a high note for the Ravens, who took an early lead in the fourth minute of the first period off a goal by forward Michael Lomas.
The Ravens were able to maintain their lead for the rest of the first period, and outshot UQTR 11-7 during that time.
“I thought our first period was probably the best of the whole playoffs, the guys came out and worked really hard and we had some great scoring chances,” Ravens head coach Marty Johnston said.
UQTR was able to quickly level the score in the second period, with a tap-in goal from forward Anthony Verret.
Three minutes later, Lomas would net his second goal of the game for the Ravens, giving his team a 2-1 lead they would maintain for the rest of the period.
Going into the third period, the Ravens looked to be in control of the game.
When Ravens defenceman Tim Billingsley scored to give his team a 3-1 lead, it appeared inevitable that the Ravens were well on their way to forcing a third and final series game, which would have been played at the Carleton Ice House on Feb. 22.
However, UQTR would take advantage of three Ravens penalties late in the game to mount a comeback.
Following two five-on-three situations, UQTR scored twice in the span of a minute late in the third period to tie the game at 3-3.
Heading into overtime, the Ravens were unable to keep up with UQTR after having to defend against both five-on-three power plays, and were subsequently out-shot 12-1.
In the sixth minute of overtime, UQTR forward Marc-Olivier Mimar was able to break the deadlock and score on Ravens goaltender Patrick Killeen, effectively sealing the series victory for his team.
Despite being assigned the loss, Killeen was a steady presence at the back for the Ravens, stopping 44 out of 48 shots.
“Obviously with us getting three penalties in less than two minutes had a huge effect on the game,” Johnston said.
“I think that we’d be lying if we didn’t say that we had the goal of getting back to the nationals this year, so we’re certainly disappointed at how our season ended.”
The Patriotes will now have a chance to move on to the Canadian Interuniversity Sport University Cup tournament in Halifax, as they face the McGill Redmen in the Ontario University Athletics East division final.
The Ravens ended their season with an overall regular season record of 20-6, and Johnston praised the team for getting 20 wins in 26 games, a feat that he described as “not easy.”
“I think the guys delivered a really good product on the ice and certainly showed the Carleton fans at home that we’re very good when we play at the Ice House,” Johnston said.
