February 26, 2010
RAMS DROP GAME 1 TO NO. 3 UQTR
TORONTO - A slow start doomed the Ryerson Rams men's hockey team in Game 1 of the OUA East semifinal Thursday, as the Rams fell 6-3 to the No. 3 UQTR Patriotes at George Bell Arena.
Fresh off their series sweep over the Toronto Varsity Blues last week, the Rams ran into the high-flying offence of UQTR early in Game 1 of their semifinal match-up. Alexandre Blais opened the scoring for the Patriotes right out of the gate, netting his first goal of the post-season 53 seconds into the game.
But while the Rams undoubtedly started the game flat, they managed to tie the match midway through the period. After earning a power play just after the six minute mark, Michael Paolo evened things up on a long point shot that UQTR players argued never crossed the goal line. Despite their objections, the goal would stand, and Ryerson would begin to press for more as the period progressed.
The Patriotes would answer back late, however, as UQTR would take advantage of some holes in the Rams defence to carry momentum into the second period. Francis Charland put the visitors up 2-1 at 16:53 when he snapped a wrister past Ryerson's Paul Gibson from the left face-off circle. Charland would strike again a mere two minutes later, scoring from almost the same spot to give the Patriotes some breathing room heading into the second.
UQTR kept their offensive barrage coming in the middle frame, as a turnover at the Rams blue line led to Felix Petit's third of the post season just two minutes in. Although they found themselves behind 4-1, Petit's goal seemed to wake Ryerson up, as the Rams really found their cycle game midway through the second. The Rams managed to earn three power plays late in the frame, and finally converted when Cory Konecny banged home a rebound to draw the home side within two after two.
The Patriotes skill proved to be too much for the Rams on this night, however, as UQTR would pull away with a pair of goals in the third period. Although Ryerson continued to get power play opportunities early in the third, Guillaume Chicoine would cap off a three-point night with a goal to make the score 5-2 twelve minutes in. Blais then sealed the Patriotes win with his second goal of the night on the power play at 17:39. While Konecny's second of the game drew Ryerson within three at 18:42, it was too little too late as UQTR cruised to the 6-3 win in game one.
Ryerson outshot UQTR 41-40 in the game, but never really recovered after falling behind early in the second. Gibson made 34 saves to take the loss for Ryerson, while Jean-Christophe Blanchard was solid in making 38 stops for the Patriotes. Blanchard also benefited from strong defensive play in front of him, as Ryerson found it difficult to get shots through UQTR's defensemen and forwards all night.
For Rams head coach Graham Wise, who was named the OUA East coach of the year Wednesday, his team's slow start was ultimately what held them back against a team ranked third in the country.
"They're a very good team and I thought we were a little apprehensive in the first period," he said. "It took us a little while to get going, but I thought the effort we gave in the second and third periods was good."
Although his team now finds themselves facing elimination heading back to Trois-Rivières, Wise also said that the Rams shouldn't think they are out of it by any extent. After defeating Concordia 6-2 in game one of their quarter-final series, UQTR dropped their second game 2-1 to the Stingers, meaning Ryerson wouldn't be the first team to come back against the best regular season team in the OUA.
"I think right now the important thing for us is to get some rest and get recharged," said Wise, who joined his team on the bus to UQTR immediately after the game. "Then we just have to come out hard and give them 60 minutes of hockey. I think we're capable of doing that."
UQTR leads the series 1-0, and will prepare to host game two of the best-of-three series Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Trois-Rivières. Should game three be necessary, it would go Saturday at 7 p.m. also in Trois-Rivières.
Source: Ryerson Rams
Fresh off their series sweep over the Toronto Varsity Blues last week, the Rams ran into the high-flying offence of UQTR early in Game 1 of their semifinal match-up. Alexandre Blais opened the scoring for the Patriotes right out of the gate, netting his first goal of the post-season 53 seconds into the game.
But while the Rams undoubtedly started the game flat, they managed to tie the match midway through the period. After earning a power play just after the six minute mark, Michael Paolo evened things up on a long point shot that UQTR players argued never crossed the goal line. Despite their objections, the goal would stand, and Ryerson would begin to press for more as the period progressed.
The Patriotes would answer back late, however, as UQTR would take advantage of some holes in the Rams defence to carry momentum into the second period. Francis Charland put the visitors up 2-1 at 16:53 when he snapped a wrister past Ryerson's Paul Gibson from the left face-off circle. Charland would strike again a mere two minutes later, scoring from almost the same spot to give the Patriotes some breathing room heading into the second.
UQTR kept their offensive barrage coming in the middle frame, as a turnover at the Rams blue line led to Felix Petit's third of the post season just two minutes in. Although they found themselves behind 4-1, Petit's goal seemed to wake Ryerson up, as the Rams really found their cycle game midway through the second. The Rams managed to earn three power plays late in the frame, and finally converted when Cory Konecny banged home a rebound to draw the home side within two after two.
The Patriotes skill proved to be too much for the Rams on this night, however, as UQTR would pull away with a pair of goals in the third period. Although Ryerson continued to get power play opportunities early in the third, Guillaume Chicoine would cap off a three-point night with a goal to make the score 5-2 twelve minutes in. Blais then sealed the Patriotes win with his second goal of the night on the power play at 17:39. While Konecny's second of the game drew Ryerson within three at 18:42, it was too little too late as UQTR cruised to the 6-3 win in game one.
Ryerson outshot UQTR 41-40 in the game, but never really recovered after falling behind early in the second. Gibson made 34 saves to take the loss for Ryerson, while Jean-Christophe Blanchard was solid in making 38 stops for the Patriotes. Blanchard also benefited from strong defensive play in front of him, as Ryerson found it difficult to get shots through UQTR's defensemen and forwards all night.
For Rams head coach Graham Wise, who was named the OUA East coach of the year Wednesday, his team's slow start was ultimately what held them back against a team ranked third in the country.
"They're a very good team and I thought we were a little apprehensive in the first period," he said. "It took us a little while to get going, but I thought the effort we gave in the second and third periods was good."
Although his team now finds themselves facing elimination heading back to Trois-Rivières, Wise also said that the Rams shouldn't think they are out of it by any extent. After defeating Concordia 6-2 in game one of their quarter-final series, UQTR dropped their second game 2-1 to the Stingers, meaning Ryerson wouldn't be the first team to come back against the best regular season team in the OUA.
"I think right now the important thing for us is to get some rest and get recharged," said Wise, who joined his team on the bus to UQTR immediately after the game. "Then we just have to come out hard and give them 60 minutes of hockey. I think we're capable of doing that."
UQTR leads the series 1-0, and will prepare to host game two of the best-of-three series Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Trois-Rivières. Should game three be necessary, it would go Saturday at 7 p.m. also in Trois-Rivières.
Source: Ryerson Rams
