By: Luigi Rosella
As the hockey playoffs grow closer, the Rams hope to make an appearance on the ice instead of in the stands. Despite their 1-11-3 record, the rams are still alive with 11 games left in the season, chasing the Brock Badgers, who are four points ahead in the standings, for a playoff birth. But Ryerson will have to pursue their playoff bid without one of their top defencemen, Jamie Wensley, who has left the team and the university to play professionally in the United States.
“He (Wensley) will be a significant loss to our defensive core,” said Rams coach Louie Carnevale.
Though Ryerson has only won one league game this season Carnevale has not lost hope. He believes their losing record is deceiving.
“We’re practically in every game. There have only been three or four games where the other team has completely dominated us,” said Carnevale, referring to games against U of T, Guelph, Windsor and York.
With more than half of the season already completed, the Rams don’t have the time to make any drastic changes to their roster or game plan. Ryerson winger Anthony Agostino believes it is even more important now for the Rams to show their will to win.
“It’s up to us, the players, to take it upon ourselves and go out there and prove that we deserve to be there,” Agostino said. The Rams have been involved in nine games where they either tied or lost by one goal.”
Carnevale said he’d like to see more goals, but he attributes their record to mere bad luck, which he is confident will soon turn to good.
“We have to continue to play with intensity. When you’ve been in nine one-goal games, something has to give our way sooner or later,” he said.
Regardless of what happens this season. Carnevale is happy with the Rams’ progress since his arrival four years ago.
“Our program has come a long way. A couple of years ago when I inherited the coaching job, we were losing regularly by seven or eight goals, but now we’re in every game.”
The Rams playoff hopes hinge on their performance in a home and home series against Brock beginning Jan. 28 at St. Mike’s Arena. They travel to Brock on Jan. 30.
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