Ottawa, ON – On a day that many people in America use to give thanks, it was the Carleton Ravens who were grateful for the man in their net who helped them stave off a late offensive surge and take over first place in the OUA Far East Division.
The Carleton Ravens and the UQTR Patriotes each entered the night with an over five-day layoff since they last took the ice. Carleton last played on November 20th against the Ottawa Gee-Gee’s, and UQTR last played on November 13th against McGill. The last time these two teams played ended in a 6-5 OT win for UQTR.
Carleton would continue with their up-tempo offence from the weekend by carrying the puck in on odd-man rushes, generating scoring chances. Off the cycle game, Carleton would score the first goal of the game courtesy of Oliver Castleman on a great shot-for-tip by Simon Kerr on the point.
UQTR tried to score off the counter-attack, but Mark Grametbauer would deny their scoring opportunity, which led to Brogan O’Brien head-manning the puck to Parker Aucoin, who shot it five-hole to give the Ravens a 2-0 lead.
During the 2nd period, Carleton was awarded three powerplays, which presented an excellent opportunity to add to their 2-0 lead. The Ravens wouldn’t score on any of those opportunities; however, they did get good looks.
UQTR would get their opportunities on the powerplay as they had a 5-on-3 for 53 seconds, but Carleton’s penalty killed had a strong performance killing off both penalties. Missed opportunities for both teams but more so for UQTR as they could’ve cut into the Carleton lead.
UQTR would come out of the gates strong in the 3rd period as they would have to open up more on the offensive side which troubled the Ravens as they had to waste their timeout on an icing call. Carleton’s defensive system would be tested, but they would bend but not break. UQTR played a lot of the 3rd period in the offensive zone, but Mark Grametbauer would be equal to the task.
Late in the third period, Julian Tessier would receive a cross-ice pass and snipe it top shelf on Grametbauer to cut the Ravens lead to 2-1. The goal denied Mark Grametbauer his second shutout of 2021-2022.
“During the game, it’s nothing you really focus on too much; you just try to win, especially with a tight game like that. We’re happy to get out with the win,” Grametbauer said.
“It’s always nice to have a shutout, but at the end of the day..two points is two points.”