In a battle of brawn, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team beat the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 5-4 in overtime on Friday night at the Ice House, extending their win streak to four.
The Ravens (10-12) were looking to keep their momentum against the Ridgebacks (12-9), who they had yet to find a win against this season.
But the Ravens weren’t “too concerned about the past,” head coach Mark Cavallin said after the game.
“We just feel like we’re playing as a team more now,” he said.
It was a physical matchup, with seven penalties between the two teams: four for Carleton and three for Ontario Tech. Ravens forward Robbie Rutledge got into a scrap at centre ice before the first whistle even blew — setting the tone early.
Despite a strong start from Carleton, the Ridgebacks got on the board first. Forward Kyle Leonard slipped the puck past goalie Dylan Meilun at 17:31 of the first period to give Ontario Tech an early lead.
The Ravens responded fast in the second, with forward Alex Fournier sniping a shot into the Ridgebacks’ net within the first two minutes to tie the game. Just three minutes later, forward Brady Egan scored off a cross-ice pass to put Carleton ahead 2-1.
Ontario Tech kept the pressure on, with Leonard chipping the puck over Meilun’s glove around the 15-minute mark to tie the game with his second goal of the night.
But Rutledge put the Ravens back on top quickly afterwards, scoring in a scrum at the Ridgebacks’ crease.
Less than two minutes later, Ontario Tech forward Alex Drover tied the game at three.
As the teams traded goals, Rutledge said his team’s physicality was necessary to keep up with the Ridgebacks.
“I think we can compete with anyone physically in the league,” he said.
Early in the third period, Rutledge found himself back at his opponent’s crease, spinning around and ripping a shot past goalie Beckett Langkow to regain Carleton’s lead.
Seconds later, Ravens forward Braeden Virtue was sent to the penalty box for holding, hurling his stick against the door, as the crowd booed the call.
While the Ridgebacks couldn’t capitalize on the power play chance, forward Ishan Mittoo scored the tying goal that ultimately sent the game into overtime.
“They were really good on their faceoffs in our [defensive] zone,” Cavallin said, adding there were changes to the Ravens’ offensive zone, but everything else remained “status quo.”
Extra time didn’t last long, with Carleton forward Nick McCarry scoring 34 seconds into overtime to secure the win.
Egan, who recorded a goal and two assists, said that while a win in overtime isn’t ideal, it’s still a step in the right direction.
“We’re starting to get more used to having a lead — and being able to hold that lead,” he said.
“When you build chemistry with a couple of guys, you’re able to do a lot of things.”
Rutledge agreed, saying that while scoring two goals “was awesome”, he wanted to give credit to his linemates for “making it really easy to play with [them].”
Egan said the team isn’t getting ahead of themselves post-win.
“The windshield’s a lot bigger than the rearview mirror, and we’ve just got to keep looking forward one game at a time,” he said.
Tonight, the Ravens will face the Queen’s Gaels, a team they’re 1-2 against this season. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Ice House.
Featured photo by Marc Lafleur/Marc Lafleur Photography & Carleton Ravens
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