The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team beat the Ryerson Rams by a score of 5-3 on Oct. 28 at the Ice House. The following day, the Ravens defeated the University of Toronto (U of T) Varsity Blues by a score of 8-2 for their second victory in as many nights.
“We started out well and we had contributions from all four lines,” Ravens head coach Marty Johnston said after the win over Ryerson. “We ran into some penalty trouble and it was tough there at the end, but the guys dug deep and it was good to win a game.”
Only 46 seconds into the first period, Rams forward Michael Fine fired a shot on goal past Ravens goaltender François Brassard to open the scoring.
After missing the first six games of the season with an injury, Ravens forward Brett Welychka scored a goal on a power play to get the Ravens on the board.
“To be honest, looking back on it—the first period I felt pretty slow,” Welychka said after the game. “Obviously it’s a quick pace in this league . . . it’s just good to jump back in there with the guys and end up getting the win.”
Welychka then scored his second of the night with six minutes left in the opening period, while Ravens forward Adam Chapman scored two minutes later to extend the Ravens’ lead to two.
Rams forward Vince Figliomeni pulled Ryerson within one goal when he scored with eight minutes left in the second period.
In the third period, Ravens captain Michael McNamee fired a shot past Rams goaltender Taylor Dupuis to restore the two goal lead, with Welychka registering his third point of the night with an assist.
The Rams added a goal late from forward Jamie Lewis, though they were unable to complete the comeback, as Ravens forward Brent Norris buried an empty net goal to seal the victory for the Ravens.
The following day, the Ravens returned to the Ice House to host the Varsity Blues.
The Ravens would surrender another early goal, as Varsity Blues forward Russell Turner put the puck past Ravens goaltender Justin Nichols two minutes into the game.
Ravens forward Hayden Hulton tied up the game, then Welychka buried two power play goals in 50 seconds to quickly build a two goal lead for the Ravens midway through the period.
Josh Hanson would score for the Varsity Blues before the end of the frame to pull U of T within one goal.
Welychka scored his third power play goal of the night early in the second period, while Chapman scored his second goal in as many nights later in the period.
The offensive onslaught would continue in the third as Welychka and Chapman both added another goal each, while Brett Gustavsen scored his third goal of the season.
“I think anytime you come back from an injury it’s going to be tough to adjust to the speed no matter how hard you practice,” Welychka said after the game. “Anytime you have a game it’s a different pace, and it was a little easier for me tonight after getting my feet wet last night and I owe it to my line mates and to the team.”
After allowing two goals on seven shots in the opening period, Nichols stopped all 24 shots he faced the rest of the way.
“I thought [Nichols] played well, it’s been a while since he’s been in the net and he came out with some big saves for us so [I’m] happy to see him get his first win,” Johnston said.
The Ravens will be back in action on Nov. 3 when they travel to London to take on the Western Mustangs.
