TORONTO - The Ryerson Rams men's hockey team fell 3-2 in a double overtime heartbreaker to the undefeated Windsor Lancers Friday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Despite a hard-fought game, ultimately the Rams couldn't solve Lancers goalie Parker Van Buskirk. This loss marks the end of the Rams three game win streak.
BOXSCORE
The Lancers (10-0-0) came out on top at the end of both the first and second periods. Forward Dylan Denomme struck first on the power play, followed by Daulton Siwak in the second. Despite the Rams (5-3-1) outshooting the Lancers 25-24 by the end of the period, they struggled to find the back of the net.
Nearly halfway through the third, it was rookie defenceman Alex Basso (Toronto) who cut the two goal deficit in half with a sharp slap shot from the blue line on a 5-on-3 power play. A desperate equaliser came with just 19 seconds left in regulation time, from Rams forward Domenic Alberga (Maple, Ont.).
With Windsor's seven shots to Ryerson's zero in both overtime periods, Rams goalie Troy Passingham (Mississauga, Ont.) had to exert himself, fighting exhaustion in post 60 minute play. However, nearing the end of the 3-on-3 second overtime period, Lancers Drew Palmer was able to sneak one past Passingham on the power play.
“A two goal lead is the worst in the world but I thought we battled hard and got the equaliser,” said Rams head coach Graham Wise following the loss. “But you have to look at the positives – we got a point out of it – not too many teams have taken points from [Windsor].”
In last year's two regular season matchups, both the Rams and the Lancers came away with a win.
“We knew that we had to play our style of game,” said Alberga. “They're coming in to our rink and we want to set the tempo and show these guys that it's not going to be an easy win.”
With defenceman Keevin Cutting's hooking penalty coming in the second overtime period, the Lancers would end the game on Palmer's goal. According to Wise, the penalty was due to an unlucky bounce off an official.
In less than 24 hours, the Rams will face the Laurier Golden Hawks in Brantford.
“We'll replenish, get a good night's rest and be ready to play tomorrow,” said Wise.
