The Ryerson Rams men’s hockey team saved  their best for last Saturday afternoon, defeating the nationally ranked Carleton Ravens 5–2 in their final regular season game to sweep the season series and clinch the final playoff spot in the OUA East division.

“It’s a relief,” said Rams head coach Graham Wise of qualifying for the playoffs. “You don’t like it to come down to the last game of the year, but credit to the guys, who stepped up with a big game.  We’re enjoying it.”

The Rams, who held a precarious one-point lead over the Concordia  Stingers for eighth place heading into Saturday’s season finale, needed a tie or a Stingers loss vs. U of T’s Varsity Blues to secure a playoff berth.  As it turned out, the Rams’ playoff fate would be decided before the completion of their game, as the Stingers wound up losing at home to the Varsity Blues 2–1 in a game that started prior to the Rams’ tilt with the Ravens.

“We found out in the third period that U of T had won, and it relieved a bit of pressure,” added Wise.  “We didn’t make a big thing about it … with a win we were in, so that’s what we did.”

The Rams were led by the stellar net minding of backup Louie George, who stepped in to make 36 saves on 38 shots, including 16 in the 3rd period alone, to preserve the win.  

“Louie came up large,” said Wise. “You need that type of goaltending against a good team like Carleton.”

The Rams’ power play also had a big role, with three goals scored on eight chances in  the afternoon, including two key first period markers by Dustin Alcock and Greg Payne with the man advantage that staked the Rams to an early 2–0 lead.  

The Ravens, the ninth-ranked team in the C.I.S., cut the lead to 2–1 after one, but left wing Jamie Wise responded with a goal just 40 seconds into the middle frame  that put the Rams back on top by two.  The Ravens would cut into the Rams’ lead before the end of the second, but third period goals by Kent MacPherson and Michael Paolo provided the necessary insurance in helping Ryerson finish the season-series 2–0 over their provincial rival. 

In the opening playoff round for the second straight year, the Rams will now play the fifth-ranked UQTR Patriotes, who defeated Ryerson two games to one in the OUA east quarter-final round last February.

But the Rams, who finished the regular season with 24 points, appear to be getting hot at the right time.  They won three of their last four down the stretch, including big wins over Concordia and UQTR, who captured the OUA east with 43 points.   

“They’re going to come in a little angry,” said Wise, referencing the Rams convincing 3–1 win over UQTR on Feb. 1.  “We’re going to have to put a good game plan together against one of the best teams out there.”

Wise wouldn’t reveal which goalie would get the start between the pipes for the Rams in game one.  The next team practice will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at Mattamy home ice.

The best-of-three series begins Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013  at the MAC.  Beers are $3.