Offence thrives in men’s hockey’s opening weekend sweep

In their first games of the 2022-23 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team flew out of the gate with a pair of dominating wins at the Carleton Ice House.

On Oct. 14, the Ravens cruised to a 6-1 win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, while their game on Oct. 15 featured an 8-3 win against the Nipissing Lakers.

Friday Oct. 14: Ravens versus Ontario Tech

The Ravens got off to a fiery start in their home opener, blitzing the Ridgebacks by scoring three goals in the first frame, two of which came off the stick of forward Parker AuCoin. 

Despite a quick goal from Ridgeback forward James White in the second period, the Ravens kept their heads down and went back to work. What ensued were the debutant goals for Carleton forwards Alex Johnston and Kieran Craig, as well as defenseman James Mayotte. 

The series of goals extended the Ravens’ lead to 6-1. Ravens goaltender Mark Grametbauer was solid throughout the contest, stopping 26 of 27 shots faced to keep the Ridgebacks at one goal.

That score would hold up as the final, marking the beginning of the season with a resounding statement win.

Saturday Oct. 15: Ravens versus Lakers

Early on in Saturday’s contest against the Lakers, it did not appear as if the Ravens would maintain its perfect record. 

Between allowing the game’s first goal and a never-ending parade to the penalty box, Carleton seemed to be digging itself into an early hole as the first period progressed.

Then came the tying marker from AuCoin, and the goals just kept coming for the Ravens.

Forwards Aaron Boyd and Madoka Suzuki added their own tallies in the next three minutes of play to launch the Ravens into the driver’s seat—a position from which they never looked back.

Despite a Lakers’ goal one minute later, courtesy of forward Charles Farmer, the Ravens would go on to score five unanswered goals over the rest of the game. The Ravens asserted themselves in the offensive zone seemingly at will. 

The spotlight shone particularly brightly on AuCoin, as he potted three more goals for a rare four-goal game—a feat that was not achieved all of last season by a Raven. AuCoin has scored six goals through his first two games, far and away the best mark in the league.

The explosive offence on display Friday night and in Saturday’s 6-1 win bodes well for the Ravens, as the same offensive punch had a tendency to disappear at times last season.

Looking Ahead

After this weekend, it appears this season is shaping up to be much different than the last.

The 2021-22 Ravens went 4-5-2 in a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, losing to the UQTR Patriotes, the eventual OUA champions, in the quarterfinals. The Ravens also lost several key players mid-season to pro hockey clubs, shortening the bench to a point where they struggled to remain competitive down the stretch. 

Last season was a very different test for the Ravens, who have brought back most core players for this year. Without the barriers they faced before, championship hopes will be at a high as the team looks to fulfill its potential.

The Ravens will be back in action Oct. 21 when they visit the RMC Paladins. 

Featured image by Spencer Colby.