Foward Ryan Berard took a shot on the Gee-Gees’ goalie (Photo: Greg Mason)

It is the acme of foolishness to think any record can be unblemished. 

Carleton varsity men’s hockey team was unceremoniously made aware of that as they were disposed of handedly by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 5-2 Oct. 17 on home ice.

The loss marked their first defeat of the season, appropriately administered by perennial rival U of O.

But this loss wasn’t too sore, as the Ravens defeated the Gee-Gees 5-2 the night before at U of O.

Carleton started off the game with fervour, determined to extend their winning streak to four. 

An early short-handed goal by the Gee-Gees, due to a careless giveaway in the Ottawa zone, did not seem to faze the Ravens, as winger Andrew Self responded with a power-play marker late in the first period to tie it at 1-1. 

Both teams battled hard, employing tons of physicality to a game fuelled by rivalry. 

The Carleton defence was particularly aggressive, highlighted by a bone-crushing hit from Mark Smith midway through the period for which he received a rousing chorus of cheers from fans.  This aggressiveness seemed to be a double-edged sword, however, as Ravens forward Ryan Berard was charged with three penalties during the period.

Knotted at one to begin the second period, Carleton burst through the gates bent on taking the lead. 

A timely Gee-Gees penalty early in the period led to a Ravens power play where a spectacular individual effort by centre Brandon MacLean to navigate through a wave of defenders made for an effortless tip-in by Mike Byrd.

The Gee-Gees, indignant from the previous day’s defeat on their home turf, responded nine minutes into the period with two goals in a span of less than a minute to take the lead heading into the third. 

The final period did not help Carleton’s cause. 

A penalty call against MacLean, questioned by Raven fans, allowed the Gee-Gees to exploit the depleted Raven defensive front and extend their lead to two. Ottawa scored another goal later in the period to effectively seal Carleton’s fate.

The Ravens, who are now 3-1-0 for the season, will resume play Oct. 23 in Toronto.