In the type of weekend you’d expect to see on the schedule in late January, the pressure is on in Ottawa as the Carleton Ravens finish 2021 with a pair of pivotal games. On Friday night the Ravens will host the Bishop’s Gaiters in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game before heading down the canal on Sunday to face the uOttawa Gee-Gees.
With only five points separating third and sixth place in the RSEQ standings, the weekend series could have a major impact on the standings as the teams take a break for exams at the mid-season mark.
In their two previous meetings with the Gaiters the Ravens are 1-1, with both teams taking victories on home ice. While the Ravens look to secure the season series win against the Gee-Gees, already up 2 games to none following a pair of close wins.
Friday, December 3, 2021 – 7:00 p.m. – Annual Teddy Bear TossRavens vs GaitersWhere: Carleton Ice House (Arena A)Tickets: GoRavens.ca/ticketsBroadcast: Official Ravens on YouTube
Sunday, December 5, 2021 – 2:00 p.m.Ravens @ Gee-GeesWhere: Minto Sports Complex (uOttawa)Broadcast: The uOttawa GeeGees on YouTube
Empower the Powerplay
The Ravens are 0/8 on the powerplay against the Gaiters this season and will need a change of fortune if they want to take advantage of the Gaiters league-leading 50 minutes in penalties. At just 6.98% the Ravens powerplay will look to turn around a slow start if they’re to take advantage of the Gaiters penalty trouble. On the road, the Gaiters have a league-worst penalty kill, currently operating at only 66.7% when away from the Jane and Eric Molson Arena.
Protect the House
The Ravens are 2-2 at home this season, including a win over the visiting Gaiters, and will need to get to work early against a young Bishop’s team who took down the Ravens 3-1 on November 14. The Ravens will need to get traffic in front of Gaiters goaltender Charley Wing, in two games against Carleton this season Wing has only allowed 3 goals on 60 shots for a .950 save percentage.
Statement Finish
There is no easier way for the Ravens to declare their intentions as a real playoff contender in the RSEQ than to score a big win over the uOttawa Gee-Gees to close out the 2021 side of the schedule. The Ravens have had an impressive start against the Garnet and Grey this season, with a pair of wins and a perfect five-for-five penalty kill. If the Ravens are going to lock up the season series with two games to go, they’ll need a full team performance on Sunday. In their first two meetings this season, the Gee-Gees have outshot the Ravens 68-39 and Marie-Eve Coté has been solid for the Ravens stealing a pair of key wins.
