The McGill University Redmen defeated the Carleton men’s hockey team 5-1 on Friday Feb. 26, forcing a third and deciding game in the Ontario University Athletics East semi-finals series Feb. 28 in which McGill ended Carleton’s season defeating the Ravens 6-2.
The Friday night game at the Carleton Ice House began in favour of the Ravens with an early goal from Mike Byrd during a power play three minutes into the first period. Unfortunately Redmen forward Andrew Wright evened out the score shortly afterward, despite Carleton’s aggressive defence.
With about five minutes left in the period, the Ravens took advantage of a power play, taking several shots on McGill’s net. However, the Redmen countered the Raven’s assault and managed to slip in another goal giving McGill a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes of intense play.
In the second period McGill came out aggressively and took advantage of several power plays to hammer shots on Carleton goaltender Alexander Archibald. During an intense battle for the puck in Carleton’s defensive zone, Redmen forward Chris Downey’s helmet was knocked off, resulting in a high sticking penalty for the Ravens. It was in the following power play that McGill’s Francis Verreault-Paul scored his second goal of the game.