– File photo
The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team emerged victorious this weekend, defeating the Laurentian Voyageurs by a score of 3-2 in double overtime at the Ice House on Jan. 14.
The Ravens started off the first period strong, with Carleton forward Michael McNamee scoring the first goal of the game with a backhand shot only four minutes into the game. However, the Voyageurs picked up momentum moments later, and Laurentian defender Caleb Apperson managed to score a quick goal to tie the game.
“They came out hard, and we knew that they would be coming with speed,” said Ravens forward Brett Welychka. “They are obviously a physical team.”
After a Carleton roughing penalty sent the Voyageurs into a power play, Brent Pedersen was able to shoot the puck in the top right-hand corner of the Ravens’ net and give the Voyageurs a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
“I thought that we had a good start to the first period, but then there was a stretch where we kind of got away from our game,” Ravens head coach Marty Johnston said after the game.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the second period, though the Ravens defence was able to stifle Laurentian, and only conceded seven shots on goal during the frame, while Carleton directed 13 on goal.
Early into the third period, McNamee sent a pass to Alexandre Boivin, whose quick and accurate shot knotted up the game. With the third ending with a score of 2-2, the players prepared to head into overtime.
During an intense four-on-four overtime period, neither the Ravens nor the Voyageurs were able secure a victory. The players then headed into five more minutes of three-on-three overtime.
With only two minutes remaining in double overtime, McNamee found teammate Welychka across the ice, who then managed to score the game-winning goal.
“Anytime you play a team like that, they are always wanting to win,” Welychka said. “But I have to give credit to them, they played both ends of the ice, but we were fortunate enough to get the win.”
“McNamee came up with a really big night, as did Welychka,” Johnston said. “That’s why they are our lead players.”
The win allowed the Ravens to skate away with some retribution, as they fell to the Voyageurs by a score of 3-1 earlier in the season.
Carleton was also able to extend their season-high win streak to four games.
Johnston said the team will need to work at managing the puck better when preparing for their upcoming match-up with the Nipissing Lakers.
“Laurentian did a good job in the neutral zone and there were moments in the game where we had trouble getting the puck out, so we will continue to work on breaking out of our zone,” he said.
Welychka said he believes “maintaining work ethic in practices will hopefully keep us on this winning streak.”
Up next, the Ravens will take on the Lakers on Jan. 20 at the Ice House.
