Men’s hockey fell to the Carleton Ravens in a 3-2 loss at home on Tuesday, where a tough first period stifled chances of a late comeback attempt. 

Coming off of two losses at home this past weekend, head coach Brett Gibson wasn’t impressed with his team’s performance. 

In the first 20 minutes, the Gaels were outshot 14-9. A quick goal by Carleton’s Michael McNamee and a power play goal by Ryan Van Stralen put the visitors up two after the opening frame. Gibson believed the team got down on themselves as a result. 

“It’s all about mental toughness, and we didn’t demonstrate that tonight,” Gibson said. 

“We didn’t start on time,” he said,  referring to his team’s first period. “When you come into a game late you’re going to be chasing the game from behind the whole time.”

A quick goal in the third by Carleton’s Mitch Zion put the Gaels down 3-0. 

Spencer Abraham scored his eighth of the season on the power play, followed by a goal by Ryan Bloom assisted by Slater Doggett and Eric Ming with 2:19 remaining. 

Ming now has a point streak of nine games, with 10 goals and nine assists. 

With just over two minutes to go, the Gaels pulled starting goalie Kevin Bailie in the hopes of sparking a last-minute goal with six men on the ice. A couple close offensive opportunities didn’t suffice, as the Ravens took the game. In the process, the visitors extended their record to 15-5, while the Gaels now sit at 11-7. 

Queen’s visits Laurentian and Nipissing this weekend, hoping to win both games to extend their away record to 9-1. Gibson said getting away will be good for the team.

“When you’re on the road and you don’t have studies, you are able to get to together as a group,” he said. “That helps team morale. We’re confident on the road, and we must win both games.”

Gaels captain Patrick Downe believes that in spite of the loss the team’s comeback attempts were something to build on. 

“After such a slow start, we were fed up,” he said. “We started getting the puck down low, putting the body on them, and generated quality offensive opportunities.” 

By Saturday night, the team will have played eight games in five days, though Downe says excuses can’t be made as the team enters the season’s final stretch. 

“We’ve got a good strength coach. We’re going to be doing a few pull sections off the ice,” he said. “There are no excuses for being tired. We’ve played 18 games, some teams have played 21.”