It was a weekend sweep for the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team in Waterloo. After blowing out the Waterloo Warriors 9-1 on Oct. 24, the Ravens shut out the Laurier Golden Hawks on Sunday afternoon 2-0.
Despite an even shot count, with Carleton edging the Golden Hawks 28-27 in the category, it was two goals in the final two periods that made the difference for Carleton.
“Any time you’re on the road and you come off a big win like [against Waterloo] you need time to adjust, and I think we knew Laurier was going to be a hard-working team,” Ravens forward Brett Welychka said. “We weren’t our sharpest but we were able to find a way to win.”
First, captain Joey West opened the scoring with a short-handed goal, firing one past Laurier goaltender Colin Furlong at the 11:58 mark of the second period.
After a key defensive outcome for the Ravens, Welychka was able to put the icing on the cake early in the third period. He scored just 22 seconds into the frame, making the score 2-0 for Carleton.
The goal was the former Belleville Bull’s sixth of the season. His 13 points in just five games as a Raven perches him at the top of the CIS scoring lead. However, Welychka isn’t quick to take credit for his breakout start.
“You have to compliment the guys you’ve been playing with and, you know, the whole team,” he said. “Starting off well is a big thing for a player, but I’m just happy to be contributing in multiple ways. Everyone, whether it’s through points or not, is putting in work.”
Welychka also noted that the performance from backup goaltender Francis Dupuis was the biggest part of their win. Despite not playing in as many games as Patrick Kileen, Welychka said the team can rely on Dupuis when they need him.
“It was good for him to get in there and show what he can do,” Welychka said. “He had two good starts already and in a young season it’s good to see that.”
Coming off the road trip to Waterloo, the Ravens begin a four-game homestand at the Carleton Ice House.
