Coming off a dramatic overtime victory in Game 1 of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) quarterfinals, the Carleton Ravens travelled across town to take on the University of Ottawa (U of) Gee-Gees in the second game of the series.
The Ravens, without captain Brett Welychka in the lineup following a hit to the head in the final regular season game against Concordia, had to make several key adjustments from the first match up, in which they had a disastrous defensive showing, allowing 30 shots on goaltender Francois Brassard.
“He was unbelievable, he really just stole one for us,” said forward Curtis Meighan of Brassard’s performance the previous game.
Within the first five minutes, despite having a high-energy start, the Ravens were already having trouble dealing with the high pressure Gee-Gees forecheck. The score remained close through the first, as the Gee-Gees made an effort to get in front of shots and to not allow shooting lanes to develop for Carleton, frustrating Ravens players as most shots ended up bouncing off Gee-Gees skates.
The Gee-Gees got their first goal of the game as forward Quinn O’Brien capitalized on a giveaway in the Ravens defensive zone, firing the puck past Brassard’s outstretched hand.
In the second period, an early power play for the U of O put them up 2-0 following a tipped point shot fooling Brassard.
With the Ravens down two goals quickly, they mounted a spirited middle of the period, in which big hits were being thrown on either side of the ice. Just as the Ravens seemed to be gaining momentum Jared Steege, while on the power play, took an unnecessary tripping penalty away from the play.
On the ensuing four-on-four, the Gee-Gees would again find the back of the net to go up 3-0.
The Ravens thought they caught a break when Dalen Hedges lifted the puck past the shoulder of U of O goaltender Anthony Brodeur into the back of the net, but it was immediately waved off by the official as he thought the puck had not crossed the line.
On replay, it was clear the puck was in the net, but as there is no video review in OUA hockey the call on the ice stood. With the Carleton bench furious, the Gee-Gees took advantage of their confusion when Evan de Haan lost sight of the puck in his skates, which Gee-Gees forward Cody Drover picked up and skated around de Haan to score, ending the period at 4-0.
The third period began with a change in net, as Brassard was pulled in favour of Justin Nichols. Despite the rough night, Ravens head coach Shaun Van Allen said the move was in order to rest the Ravens netminder in preparation for Game 3.
In the middle of the period, the U of O scored their fifth and final goal of the game after a poor change gave Jonathan Bourcier a breakaway, who made no mistake and promptly buried the puck in the back of the net.
There has been some injury concern for Carleton going into the deciding Game 3 on Feb. 18. Defenseman Josh Burnside and de Haan both took big hits in the third period and did not return to the ice, despite staying on the bench. Ryan Van Stralen also looked like he was still dealing with a knee injury from Game 1.
Despite the result, Van Allen said he believes that the effort he saw in the bright moments was better than the play he saw in the win on Feb. 14.
“We had too many chances where we didn’t handle a pass and never executed and it led to nothing,” Van Allen said.
Despite this, Van Allen said he is counting on his squad to step up and be more prepared as they face the Gee-Gees back on home ice for Game 3.
The Ravens and Gee-Gees will face off on Feb. 18 at the Ice House in the final game of the series, where the winner will move on and the loser will have their season end.
Photo by Dan Robertson
