By Raine Hernandez
The Ryerson Rams men’s hockey team extended their winning streak to three games, following a 4-3 overtime victory over the Waterloo Warriors on Nov. 9.
Heading into the game, the Rams were looking to complete a season-sweep against the Warriors. The Rams defeated the Warriors 10-1 in their home and season-opener on Oct. 3, in which Mathew Santos netted a hat-trick, while Matt Mistele tallied four points in the victory.
Although the scoring wouldn’t be the same as the first meeting between the two teams, the Rams continued to score at a high level. After failing to convert on a power-play attempt, Alex Basso scored the first goal of the game after a shot attempt from Mistele.
A few minutes later, the Rams would once again find themselves on the power-play. This time, Ryerson forward Devon Paliani notched his sixth goal of the season off of a one-timer to put the score at 2-0.
However, in the second period, it would be the Warriors who would take over. After generating 14 consecutive shots in the first half of the period, the Warriors would find a way to put the puck in the net. Forwards Alex Stothart and Cam Nicoll scored back-to-back goals 30 seconds apart for Waterloo to even up the score at 2-2.
After the awful start to the period from the Rams, Mistele found the back of the net for his second point of the night after a nifty play between him and line mate Hayden McCool. Shortly after, Alberta native Cavin Leth would restore the two-goal lead after his backhand attempt found a way past Warriors goaltender Trevor Martin to make it 4-2.
But once again, Waterloo dug deep to get themselves back into the contest.
The Warriors dominated in the third period, highlighted by a goal from Lee Dower to cut the lead to a one-goal game. The Rams goaltender Garrett Forrest was steady, however with 1:37 left in regulation, Connor Cole tied it up at 4-4 to bring the game to a 3-on-3 overtime.
In the extra period, it wouldn’t take long for the Rams to put the game away. An attempted breakout pass from the Warriors hit off an official’s skate, and right to Steven Harland. The forward capitalized off the odd-man rush opportunity, undressing Martin before putting the puck past the red line for the overtime.
With the victory, the Rams improve to 8-1-1 on the season. Garrett Forrest registered his second victory of the season, while Matt Mistele continued his point-streak to 10 games.
UP NEXT: The Rams will have no time to celebrate the victory, as they’ll head back home and take on the Western Mustangs at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Nov. 10. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
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