The Carleton Ravens women’s hockey team ended their six-game losing streak in triumphant fashion, defeating the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in a 5-2 win at the Ice House on Feb. 14.
The Ravens regained momentum before their season finale, with a cohesive team effort that displayed offensive dominance and opportunistic special teams.
“I think it was a full 60 minutes,” Ravens defender Nicole Hunter said. “We were super connected, everyone stuck to the system and we just battled.”
Ravens head coach Stacey Colarossi praised her team’s performance after a tough stretch of games which eliminated the team from playoff contention.
“We showed up and played the right way tonight,” Colarossi said. “It’s been a season of ups and downs, but this was a step in the right direction.”
Defensively, Carleton stood firm, limiting Ontario Tech to only 19 shots while firing 51 of their own. Goaltender Kaitlyn Langille made 17 saves for the Ravens.
Heading into the game, the Ravens sat in the basement of the OUA East division, three points from catching the second-last Ridgebacks.
The game started with an early setback as Ontario Tech’s Erin Lawless put the Ridgebacks ahead 1-0 just five minutes into the first period. Despite the early goal, Langille kept her composure, making key saves in the first 20 minutes to keep her team in the game.
In the second period, the Ravens found their rhythm with dominating possession and offensive pressure. Outshooting the Ridgebacks 18-4 in the period, their efforts were rewarded with a goal from Victoria Kay to tie the game late in the frame.
With a deadlocked score and momentum on their side, Hunter gave Carleton their first lead of the night by scoring off a rebound from Payton Miller’s shot. Starting the final period with a 2-1 lead, Carleton maintained its offensive intensity and kept its foot on the gas through special teams.
Less than five minutes into the period, captain Justina Beard extended the Ravens’ lead to 3-1, finishing off a setup from Shannon McDonald. Just minutes later, Sydney Berta struck on the power play to make it 4-1.
Despite a quick response from Ontario Tech’s Julia Jackson, who scored 19 seconds after Berta’s goal, Carleton refused to let the game slip away. With less than a minute remaining, Misner secured the victory with an empty-net goal.
According to Beard, the win was about more than ending a losing streak; it was about restoring pride after another losing season.
“We wanted this win,” Beard said. “It’s been a tough season, but we owed it to ourselves to finish strong.”
The win held special significance for Carleton’s senior players, who are nearing the end of their U Sports careers.
“This whole season has been for [the seniors], and today was for them,” Hunter said.
The well of emotions will continue to flow in Carleton’s final game of the season against the Waterloo Warriors the next day.
“Tomorrow is going to be emotional, but if we manage those emotions, we can come out on top,” Hunter said.
While the Ravens are out of playoff contention in their first-ever OUA season, the team is motivated to close the season on a high note.
“We just have to play for ourselves, for our coaches, and push each other to finish strong,” Beard said.
In the last game of their season, the Ravens fell to the Warriors in a difficult 5-2 loss on February 15.
Looking ahead, Colarossi said she sees promise in the team’s future.
“We have a young group, but they’re learning and growing every game,” she said. “It’s been a tough season, but performances like tonight show that we’re building something special.”
Featured photo by Charles Fortin.
