TORONTO - The Varsity Blues took an early first-period lead and held on beating the Carleton Ravens men's hockey team 3-2 on Wednesday night.
After falling behind 29 seconds into the game, Carleton pushed back before penalties took away the momentum for the middle part of the first period. Though Carleton looked vastly improved through much of the period, Toronto generated most of the shots the rest of the period and led 13-3 in shots after 20 minutes.
Early second period, the Varsity Blues would continue to create most of the offence, generating a turnover in the neutral zone and leading to a 2-on-1. On the odd-man rush, Jacob King would keep, hold and shoot beating Mark Grametbauer under the arm for the two-goal lead.
The Ravens wouldn't back down, early in the third Carleton would be awarded a five-minute power player and finally beat Rayce Ramsey as Alex Johnston found himself alone in the slot. Johnston's goal came off fantastic forechecking from Nick McCarry who created a turnover leading to the goal.
Toronto would quickly retake their two-goal lead as Nicholas Wong scored on the power play just four minutes later to put the hosts up 3-1. With just under six minutes to play, Carleton would cut the lead to one once again. The Ravens would enter the Varsity Blues zone on a 2-on-1 where Reece Belton elected to hold and shoot. Ramsey was able to make the save but the rebound would bounce in creating a one-goal game.
Unfortunately for the Ravens that would be as close as they'd come. With less than ten seconds to play Carleton would generate two grade-A chances with the goalie out but Ramsey was up to the challenge stopping both and holding on for the win.
Carleton now returns home on Saturday when they host Lakehead.
