OTTAWA - A powerplay goal wasn't enough as Gee-Gees knocked off the Ravens for the second time in eight days on Saturday night. With the 3-1 loss the Ravens now fall to 0-4 to start the season.
Unlike in 2021-22 where the Ravens started the year with a pair of wins before struggling to maintain momentum the 2022-23 team has built confidence throughout the opening four games despite the losses.
Coming into Saturday the Ravens had relied on a strong penalty kill and good defensive play to keep them in the fight. Against uOttawa it was the powerplays time to shine as first-year Shannon McDonald's wrist shot from the point beat Gee-Gees goaltender Aurelie Dubuc to make it a 2-1 game.
The Ravens had fallen behind after Kylie Lalonde scored on a 2-on-1 in the first to open the scoring and trailed by two early in the second after Abygail Moloughney got her third of the year on the powerplay.
The Ravens pressed hard against uOttawa, after only putting one shot on net in the first period Carleton began creating chances on the forecheck while limiting the Gee-Gees opportunities. "We made the second period a focal point for our team tonight," explained head coach Stacey Colarossi. "We focused on the little details to really do a better job of our execution and puck management - and getting out, being more focused in our execution made us better overall."
The Ravens have found success thus far in 2022-23 with a more intentional and physical approach to the game, something coach Colarossi feels is a foundation for the group moving forward. "We've got to close down our gaps and not give teams time and space. With that comes finishing our checks and angling bodies, and that was one of our game pieces today." Recognizing the team has work to do to compete at the top of the RSEQ standings coach Colarossi's team won't be backing down from a challenge.
"If we make sure F1 is doing their job, then F2 and F3 can start cheating the game a little and closing down and I think we're buying into that process."
In goal, Frederike Lavoie-Leroux started her third consecutive game making 34 saves including a number of highlight reel saves when the Gee-Gees did manage to break down the Ravens' defence.
The Ravens return to action next Friday night when they travel to McGill to face the Martlets at the infamous McConnell Arena.
"We have to stick with our process," emphasized Colarossi. "We've been good at getting sticks on pucks and playing bodies, there are things we have to clean up but we'll stick with our process and don't change our course too much."
