Facing a must-win situation at the Ice House Feb. 25, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team forced a third and deciding game in their Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East semifinal series after a 4-1 victory over the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) Patriotes.

Carleton jumped out to a quick start in front of a sold-out crowd at the Ice House, controlling the majority of the play in the first period. The Ravens’ pressure paid off when Brandon MacLean assisted Joey Manley for the opening goal, giving Carleton a 1-0 lead six minutes into the first. The lead was doubled midway through the period after a power play marker from Andrew Self.

UQTR made things interesting in the second period, scoring on the power play with six minutes to go in the frame. However, a third-period insurance marker from Joe Pleckaitis and an empty-netter from Ryan Berard confirmed the victory for the Ravens.

With their respective points in game two, Manley and MacLean are now tied for the lead in the OUA playoff-scoring race, with eight points apiece. Self, Manley and Berard are also tied for second in the league for playoff goals, with four goals each.

Ravens head coach Marty Johnston said he was impressed with his team’s performance in their third elimination game of these playoffs.

“I thought we started really well,” Johnston said after the game. “The guys were a little better on the forecheck tonight than what they were [in game one], and they buried the puck when they had to.”

Ravens rookie netminder Matthew Dopud put forth another strong playoff performance on home ice. He stopped 23 of the 24 shots he faced.

“I felt good today,” Dopud said. “I was getting a lot more action than I faced [in game one], and the team made it easy for me too.”

Johnston was adamant Dopud is the anchor of this Ravens hockey team.

“He played great,” Johnston said. “Sometimes it’s tough when the puck is in the other end for long periods of time, but in his typical fashion, he came up with the big saves at the right times. I’m very happy with his performance.”

Pleckaitis, who had the highest points-per-game average during the regular season for the Ravens, used one word to describe scoring his first goal of the playoffs.

“Relief.”

“I’ve been looking for that first one of the playoffs,” Pleckaitis said. “It felt really good to help the team win there.”

Johnston agreed that this could be a big goal for his star.

“It was nice to see Pleckaitis get that goal, and hopefully that will raise his spirits and get him on track,” he said.

Self, who notched the game winner for the Ravens, said he likes his team’s chances when they return to Trois-Rivieres for the deciding game of this OUA seminal Feb. 27.

“We didn’t have our best game last Wednesday, but today we showed them how we can play,” Self said. “We gave them our best, and they gave us their best, so we’ll be good. It’s clicking.”

The ever-vocal Dopud characteristically gave his thoughts on the upcoming fixture.

“We just have to come out like we did today,” he said. “We’ve got to come out strong and make sure we get some good hits.”

“I think they’re scared right now, because we’re creaming them every chance we’ve got.”

The Ravens will square off against the Patriotes in Feb. 27 in Trois-Rivieres. The winner will move to the OUA East finals.