Adamo Marinelli
Jan. 22, 2023
In the fifth edition of the Colonel By Classic, the first since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Carleton Ravens men’s hockey team made history in their 8-7 overtime win against the University of Ottawa GeeGees in a thrilling game that saw a combined 15 goals scored, the most ever in the history of the fixture, of which the Ravens have won four.
With the huge win, the Ravens improve to 10-7-3 (23 points) and leapfrog the GeeGee’s for fourth place in the OUA East standings, which provides a big spark in the Ravens’ playoff push.
“It’s unfortunate the way it turned out, but I’m very happy with our effort and resiliency tonight and we picked up a huge point,” GeeGee’s assistant coach Paul Stoykewych said.
The Ravens had seven different goal scorers and seven players recorded multi-point games. Forwards Kieran Craig and Alex Johnston both recorded three assists, forward Brogan O’Brien scored and recorded two assists, but defenseman Majid Kaddoura was the hero, scoring the overtime winner.
Kaddoura went through a wide range of emotions from when the GeeGee’s hit the post in overtime until his shot went in.
“It’s extremely nerve-wracking, obviously your heart drops when they come that close, but when you get a chance like that it feels unreal … to put it in the back of the net,” Kaddoura said.
Despite all the lead changes and momentum swings throughout an exhilarating back-and-forth game, there was never a point where Kaddoura thought the Ravens would lose the game.
“I think the leadership we [have] in our entire room all the way from the older guys to our first-year guys was showed tonight … we know that if we stay with our game plan, we come up with the result that we wanted and we did just that,” Kaddoura added.
Despite the win, Ravens’ head coach Shaun Van Allen noted their game was far from perfect, adding that giving up too many goals will not win you many games.
“Just an ugly hockey game. I wouldn't say either side would be really happy with that result,” Van Allen said.
Van Allen felt that every shot was going in and both goalies were being hung to dry; his message to his players during the intermissions was preaching the necessity of simplifying the game defensively which involves all five players supporting each other, communicating with each other, and working together.
“If you're going to check a guy, I'm there to support you so if you get beat, I got your back and then someone else has my back so one mistake doesn't end up in the back of our net,” Van Allen said. “Make the simple plays … if a guy is open, you move it there. If you chip in behind the [defence] then you start to forecheck … once you do that everyone buys in.”
The Ravens got off to a blazing start offensively, controlling the possession in the attacking zone
and using their speed and playmaking to create scoring chances. It paid off nearly five minutes in when Garret Wright tapped home a rebound on the doorstep off a shot from the faceoff circle from Simon Kerr to give the Ravens a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes later, the Ravens’ sustained attack led to Kerr’s pass into the slot being deflected upstairs over the glove of GeeGee’s goaltender Jean-Phillipe Tourigny by O’Brien to double the Ravens’ lead.
The difference in this game was special teams. The Ravens took several leads throughout the game, however, the GeeGee’s strong penalty kill was phenomenal, killing all five of Carleton’s powerplays, helping the GeeGees tighten up defensively and spark their late-game comeback. Tourigny was a huge reason why the GeeGee’s penalty kill was perfect, making several huge saves in key moments.
In addition, the GeeGee’s powerplay had a fantastic performance and was incredibly efficient, scoring three goals on six attempts gave them momentum and helped equalize the game multiple times.
The GeeGee’s moved the puck well to create quality scoring chances and put consistent pressure on the Ravens’ defence while on the powerplay.
“Our power play was phenomenal. The guys executed every opportunity they had,” GeeGee’s forward Brady Chenier said.
“We've struggled over the year trying to get our special teams going but both units were excellent today,” Stoykewych said. “Great day to get our powerplay going.”
GeeGee’s forwards Nicholas Ouellet and Chenier scored on consecutive powerplays before the first period ended to cut the Ravens’ lead to 2-1 and 3-2. Chenier scored his second powerplay goal in the third period to help propel the GeeGee’s comeback.
The GeeGee’s special teams were great but the Ravens excelled in transition where they used their speed, vision, and incredible playmaking to create several scoring chances which kept the GeeGee’s defence on its heels.
The Ravens controlled much of the first period, but the GeeGees came alive in the second period. They weren’t afraid of throwing their bodies around to make a play. They controlled possession, dictated the game’s pace, and their great playmaking and sustained pressure in the attacking zone helped generate a barrage of scoring chances around the net.
The GeeGees consistently trailing forced them to adjust their game plan to find a spark.
“You have to play a little bit more aggressively, you have to take a few more chances and our guys battled back on multiple occasions,” Chenier said, adding that their aggressiveness helped them control possession and create shots.
The Ravens were also very physical and played fast and loose with their sticks which caused them to take many undisciplined penalties which their opponents capitalized on.
The Ravens regained control in the third period, recording nine shots and scoring two goals in under five minutes to take a 6-4 lead and snatch all the momentum away from Ottawa.
After the GeeGee’s scored their third powerplay goal, Ravens’ forward Lukash Matthews scored 50 seconds later to restore the Ravens’ two-goal lead.
Despite being down 7-5 midway through the third period, the GeeGees wouldn’t go away. They scored two goals - including Chenier’s hattrick - less than three minutes apart as a result of their excellent forecheck and their accurate puck movement which opened up the Ravens’ defence to create shooting lanes.
Both teams exchanged multiple scoring chances throughout overtime, but both goaltenders made many huge saves to keep their teams alive. Nearly 45 seconds after the GeeGee’s hit the post, the Ravens used their speed to attack in transition and Kaddoura took a shot from behind the net that deflected in off Tourigny’s pad.
“It was a great experience and something we won’t soon forget,” Kaddoura said. “A huge win against our rival in front of all those fans.”
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