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.

Going into their first playoff game on Feb. 27 with an impressive 20-2 record, the Carleton men’s basketball team faced the York University Lions, and eliminated them in a decisive 78-65 win in the Ravens’ Nest.

Despite losing the initial toss-up, the Ravens pulled ahead early on a foul called against York’s Stefan Hayes. The Lions battled back with a three pointer by David Tyndall, but the Ravens responded immediately with a basket by Elliot Thompson. The Lions and Ravens went back and forth until midway through the first quarter, when the Ravens came alive and ended the quarter with a strong 8-point lead.

Coming into the second quarter, the Ravens seemed too relaxed, allowing York to dominate for the first few minutes. The Lions defence pressured the Ravens, making it difficult to get a shot off.

The Carleton Ravens women’s basketball team were trampled by the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees for the second year in a row in an intense 59-54 loss in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East finals Saturday Feb. 27.

The Carleton hoopsters came out fired up and looking for revenge over last year’s OUA East Semi-finals in which the Gee-Gees defeated them 55-49 putting an end to their season. However, their spirit alone couldn’t stop the Gee-Gees from coming out stronger in the first quarter and capturing an early lead of 14-8.

The Ravens went 2-13 in the field while the Gee-Gees went 5-12.

Throughout the second quarter the Ravens were tough, but their intensity led them to a bit of foul trouble. Coupled with shots that still wouldn’t drop, the Gee-Gees were able to maintain a solid lead of 28-20. The Gee-Gees also out-rebounded the Ravens 16-11.

The Carleton varsity swim team participated in back-to-back meets at the University of Ottawa and Queen’s University Jan. 22-23.

The Ravens’ 6 a.m. practices and increased dedication appear to have been worth it as the team broke personal and school-wide records.

After two full days of competing, head coach Dale Coleman could only speak highly of her teams’ accomplishments.

 “It was a great tune-up as we head into the OUA [Ontario University Athletics’] championships.”

Coleman said the team had a number of lifetime best times.

There is never a lack of sub plots when the Queen’s University men’s basketball team comes to Carleton. 

In addition to being Raven head coach Dave Smart’s alma mater, his older brother, Rob, coaches the Golden Gaels.

But at the end of four quarters, Dave’s Ravens proved to be the victors, defeating Queens 74-58 Jan. 22 in the Ravens’ Nest.

“It’s always tough. It’s my older brother and my old school. Someone has to win and someone has to lose,” Dave said.

The win is Carleton’s sixth straight, moving them to 12-1 in the season, and retaining their sole possession of first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) east division.

Carleton’s women’s basketball team held their breath Jan. 22 as a last-second layup by Queen’s University wobbled around the rim before bouncing out.

The team exhaled as the buzzer sounded, finalizing the Lady Ravens’ 64-62 victory over the Golden Gaels at the Ravens’ Nest, and giving them sole possession of first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) east division.

The 10-4 Ravens struggled to find offensive cohesion throughout the game, losing many scoring opportunities to bad passes and turnovers.

The Carleton women’s basketball team went two for two against its Ontario University Athletics (OUA) East division opponents on the weekend, trouncing the Royal Military College Paladins with a 67-36 win Jan. 23 at the Ravens’ Nest.

Recouping from a sloppy, turnover-filled win the previous night against the Queen’s University Golden Gaels, the Lady Ravens were eager to prove why they are atop the OUA-East standings.

The first half saw Carleton shoot very well, and the team carried a 37-19 lead going into halftime.

The Carleton men’s basketball team improved its record to 13-1 in the season following a 95-44 beat down of the Royal Military College (RMC) Paladins Jan. 23 in the Ravens’ Nest.

The game quickly got out of hand, with Carleton seemingly scoring at will, the Ravens led 27-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Carleton established itself inside the paint early, and could not be moved out. This left many Raven shooters wide open on the perimeter.

The second quarter featured more of the same from both teams: an overwhelming Carleton offence versus an overmatched RMC defence. They would head into the locker rooms with Carleton holding a 53-17 advantage.

The Carleton men’s varsity hockey team started the New Year off with a bang Jan. 8, beating the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 4-2 in a truly nail-biting game.

The Ravens came out hard in the first period, firing shot after shot at Ottawa goalie Riley Whitlock.

The entire arena was on the edge of their seats, waiting to see which team would get the first go-ahead goal.

However, after 20 minutes of play, neither team had managed to bury the puck.

Raven fans were cheering at the top of their lungs as the team hit the ice for the second period.

The Carleton women’s basketball team couldn’t have ended 2009 at a better time, or worse. The lady Ravens finished on a high note with a four-game winning streak but are now going into the long winter break, and will have to try and keep the momentum for when they return in 2010.

“It’s a good time to rest mentally,” said head coach Taffe Charles. “But we’re still working out to be physically strong.”

The Ravens finished ’09 with a 6-3 record putting them in first place in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) standings.

“We’ve been really focused and mentally tough,” Charles said.

In November, the lady hoopsters defeated Wilfred Laurier University 74-51 and the University of Waterloo 69-48. They continued their streak defeating Lakehead University 74-69 in an intense overtime win.  They finished by defeating McMaster University 71-63.