The Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team saw their four-game winning streak come to an end Oct. 29 at the Ice House with a 4-2 loss to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
With the loss, the Ravens’ record fell to 4-3 on the season.
“[The Gee-Gees] outworked us . . . have to give them credit,” said Ravens head coach Marty Johnston. “They showed up and won the battles.”
The first period was closely contested, but it was a penalty-filled affair, as the Ravens took five penalties in the frame.
Christian Bourdeau-Mifflen opened the scoring for the Ravens with a shorthanded goal 2:38 into the game.
Gee-Gees forward Dominic Jalbert tied it on the Gee-Gees’ third power play of the period, but Ravens captain Brandon MacLean scored to regain the lead and allow the Ravens to secure a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.
The Gee-Gees dominated the second period, scoring three times in the first 10 minutes to take a 4-2 lead. Ravens goaltender Ryan Dube was replaced by Matthew Dopud after the Gee-Gees’ fourth goal.
“We came out a little flat in the second, they came out ready to go and we didn’t push back,” MacLean said.
Tempers flared in the second half of the period when Ravens forward Shane Bakker started a fight after interfering with Gee-Gees goaltender Russel Abbott. Bakker received two five-minute majors and two game misconducts on the play.
Less than two minutes later, a second scrum ensued when forward Joe Pleckaitis slashed Abbott after the whistle. Pleckaitis and Abbott entered a shoving match, resulting in minor penalties for both players.
The third period was highly uneventful until the Ravens went on the power play with 2:03 remaining. Despite pulling their goalie to get a two-man advantage, the Ravens were unable to find the back of the net.
“We just have to be ready to go for 60 minutes . . . we didn’t play our game the way we should have,” MacLean said.
Johnston said the team’s discipline was also “definitely an issue.” The Ravens took 42 minutes in penalties throughout the game.
“The discipline has to be there or we will be shooting ourselves in the foot all year,” MacLean echoed.
“Every time you play Ottawa U, you know it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a tight checking game and they got the better of us tonight,” he added.
Despite the loss, Johnston said he was happy with Dopud’s play in relief of Dube. Dopud stopped all 13 shots he faced after replacing Dube midway through the game.
“I think Dopud played well when he came in again . . . he’s been outstanding for us,” Johnston said.
The Ravens have a chance to get back into the win column Nov. 4, when they play host to the Royal Military College Paladins.
