With a start to the 2012 season that saw a precarious style of play from the Ravens men’s hockey squad, the team came together in a race for first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East division.
Despite finishing second in their division for the 2012 half of the regular season, they finished 7-3 in their last 10 games.
“We’re happy with the improvement we’ve made but collectively, we know we can do better,” said defenceman Jordan Deagle.
The Ravens split their two games Nov. 30-Dec. 1, facing off against the Nipissing Lakers and the Ryerson Rams. Their first game of the weekend against the Lakers was a testament to the men’s growing frustrations just over halfway into the season. Mitch Porowski and Shane Bakker were both handed game misconducts this past weekend.
“I don’t think our play was undisciplined, our game against Nipissing was a heated one and we battled hard,” veteran forward Bakker said.
Head coach Marty Johnston and his squad came away with the overtime win in Nipissing with a final score of 3-2. Wrapping up the weekend in Toronto, the Ravens were forced into another overtime period where Rams forward Daniel Lombardi scored the game-winner.
“We’re pleased to come away with three of four points after this weekend’s road trip, but to clinch both games would have been nice,” Bakker said.
Heading into the 2013 half, the Ravens will be fighting for the first spot in the OUA East division. However, as the team knows, their focus is to improve over the winter break and come prepared in January.
“Most teams use December as a break, we are practicing with the world’s best right now [some of the Ottawa Senators], we have to make the most of our December training,” Deagle said.
“We keep taking things one game at a time, continue putting in two hours of hard work at the arena each and every day, while getting some rest over the break, and we’ll be ahead of the rest,” Bakker said.
The Ravens play in an exhibition game against Queen’s on Dec. 29 in Kemptville, a game designed to promote CIS hockey. Until then, the team that has carried its way from fifth in the OUA East division to now in the running for first place will return to action in the new year.
