Fresh off of Wilfrid Laurier University handing Badger’s men’s hockey only their second loss of the season, Brock headed North to Ottawa for two games this weekend, first against the Ottawa Gee Gee’s and the other against the Carleton Ravens.
After a forgettable scoreless first period, Brock took charge less than a minute into the second period, courtesy leading goal-scorer Jacob Roach.
After this point, both sides seemed to completely forget about the first period’s shutout affair, responding with a six-goal second period.
The Gee Gee’s quickly got back in the game after Roach’s goal, tying the match 25 seconds later, and giving themselves their first lead three minutes after that.
Brock responded in kind, delivering two consecutive goals off the sticks of Jordan Stock and Christophe Cote, restoring their one goal lead.
Unfortunately, the second period was not a moment of strength for Badger goaltender Connor Ungar. Otherwise having an outstanding season and leading all OUA goalies in all statistical categories previous to Friday, Ungar struggled mightily in the second period against the Gee Gees, only making three saves on six shots in the period. Ungar allowed the Gee Gee’s third goal of the night 14 minutes into the second.
The third would be almost equally difficult. Though the Badgers had led in shots the first and second, they mustered only six shots and no goal in the third. Though Ottawa only had seven shots of their own, they put one past Ungar early in the third and added two empty netters to secure a 6-3 victory over Brock. This is the first time the Badgers have lost back-to-back games since February.
Looking to rebound from one of their poorest showings of the season, Brock faced Carleton the next day on Dec. 2nd. Carleton entered the game with a 8-5-4 record and seventh in the OUA East, while Brock entered 14-3-0, first in the OUA West.
Once again, the Badgers struck first with a Justin Brack goal 7:45 minutes in, with Jacob Roach’s assist on the goal good enough to elevate him to fifth in the OUA in that category with 15.
Nevertheless, the Ravens responded with a goal of their own, almost exactly a minute later, knotting the score at one.
In periods two and three, the Ravens put considerable pressure on the Badgers, putting up 15 shots in the second and 14 in the third compared to Brock’s eight and seven respectively.
Carleton was eventually rewarded with their go-ahead goal eleven minutes into the second and added another over halfway through the third period.
Again, the Badgers pulled Ungar to try to close the gap, while this time they didn’t surrender any empty netters, they couldn’t bring the score any closer, losing 3-1.
This makes it three straight losses for the Badgers, a shocking revelation for a team that was undefeated a month ago and has had one loss or less for 64 of the 72 days the season has gone on.
The Badgers won’t have a chance to redeem themselves before the New Year, when they’ll play twice in the first week, first against Toronto Metropolitan on Jan. 4th 2024 and Guelph at home on Jan. 6th. For more information, visit gobadgers.ca.