The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team may have left it late, but they were able to snap their two-game losing streak after defeating the UOIT Ridgebacks 5-3 in Oshawa Nov. 19.
With the game deadlocked heading into the third period, a goal by Jeff Hayes just past the midway point of the frame broke the tie. Joe Pleckaitis would later add the insurance marker, leading to the Ravens’ road victory.
Two Ravens had multi-point nights, including Pleckaitis, who notched two goals and an assist. Brandon MacLean also notched a goal and two assists, adding to his team-leading 18 points.
Ravens head coach Marty Johnston said he was happy with the way his star players led his team.
“There hasn’t really been many games where we’ve scored more than three goals,” Johnston said. “When you look at our lineup, there are six or seven guys who should be able to provide high-end offence in this league. It was great to see them get back on track.”
Johnston particularly commended Pleckaitis for his solid performance.
“I think it was Pleckaitis’s best game of the year,” Johnston said. “We had Pleckaitis playing centre for the first time, and that really seemed to open things up for him, and it really allowed him to use his speed.”
Pleckaitis hasn’t slowed down since returning from an upper-body injury that forced him to miss five games at the beginning of the season. He has 12 points in eight games, averaging a team-best 1.5 points per game.
Ravens rookie netminder Matthew Dopud bounced back from a tough outing against the Nipissing Lakers last weekend, when he was pulled in the first period after allowing three goals on nine shots. Dopud stopped 29 of 32 shots he faced against the Ridgebacks, which garnered some praise from his coach.
“He played well. I think he had a bit of a tough start again, but he rebounded well,” Johnston said. “He certainly came up with the big saves when we needed him, and that’s what a great goalie does.”