MHKY | Slow Start Costs Voyageurs
November 23, 2019
The Laurentian Voyageurs men's hockey team kicked off their weekend tonight against the Carleton Ravens. The Ravens arrived in Sudbury with a record of 12-2-0 and as well holding the current spot of number one in the conference. The Ravens are also ranked third in U Sports.
The Ravens opened up with a dominating scoring performance on the Vees in the first frame, with three goals in the first 11 minutes. The three goal scorers were Cody Caron just 2:45 in, Jared Steege at 7:03 and Chiwetin Blacksmith at 10:46. The Ravens outshot the Vees 12-5 and thoroughly dominated the opening period.
The Voyageurs would be the first to score in the second frame after Brett Jacklin was driving wide on Grametbauer, Jacklins first attempt was saved initially but a loose puck found Jacklin's stick for the goal. Zack Wilkie and Jarret Meyer would get the assists.
The Ravens would answer back promptly with a goal from Cole Carter less than a minute after the Voyageurs opening goal.
The Voyageurs powerplay unit would receive a little assistance from the Ravens d-core after William Gignac had intended for the puck to be centered outfront of the Ravens goaltender but the puck would be redirected into the net off a defender's skate. Wilkie and Nowry would pick up the assist on the Voyageurs' second goal.
Captain Jayme Forslund would draw the Voyageurs within one with four minutes left in the frame. Forslund saved an offensive attempt with a pinch resulting in him being left alone in the high slot and putting all two-hundred and forty pounds into a slapshot that would beat Grametbauer for the third goal for the Vees'. Ben Morris would get the assist. The Voyaguers outshot the Ravens 16-13 in the second and trailed 4-3 heading into the third.
The Ravens came out hard in the third, looking to stop the Vees' comeback. Six minutes in, Andrew Jarvis would fire a shot past Savard to restore the two-goal lead. But the Voyageurs would respond three minutes later with another powerplay goal. Paul-Antoine Deslaurier would score the last goal for the Vees after sending home a wrist shot from the slot. Ben Morris and Marc-Antoine Gagnon would get the assists.
The Voyageurs would remain relevant in the game but were unable to find the equalizer. With three minutes left, Carleton's Dakota Odgers took a slashing penalty. The Voyaguers pulled the goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage, but they couldn't beat Grametbauer. The Vees would ultimately lose by one goal for a final score of 5-4. The Voyageurs will attempt to split the weekend tomorrow against the sixth-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees. Puck drop is at 2:30 pm.
Sam Brooks