This article first appeared on RyersonRams.ca on January 7, 2014.
Ryerson Rams vs. UOIT Ridgebacks
January 9, 2014
Mattamy Athletic Centre at the Gardens, 7:30 p.m.
Ryerson: 5-10-0 Last Game: 4-3 L vs. Laurentian. 2013-14 Standings: 11th – OUA (10 Points)
UOIT: 8-7-1 Last Game: 6-0 L at. Laurier. 2013-14 Standings: T 5th – OUA (17 points)
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The Storyline:
Coming off three straight losses to go into the holiday break, the Ryerson Rams women’s hockey team will have a steep hill to climb in the second half of the season if it hopes to reach the postseason for the first time in school history. Already with more wins than their first two years combined, the Rams are five points out of a playoff position with nine games remaining. One of those losses came against UOIT on Nov. 24, 2013 when the Ridgebacks scored 27 seconds into the game and came out on top, 1-0.
The Competition:
If their last meeting in November is any indication, UOIT has struggled as of late to score goals. In their last three games to close out the first half of the season, UOIT only managed to score three times. On average, the Ridgebacks score 2.25 goals per game and will be looking for a strong start to 2014. Of those 2.25 goals that they average, 12 of them have come through the man-advantage this season to go along with their 87 power-play opportunities which ranks third in the country.
Players to Watch:
Ryerson: Melissa Wronzberg
Wronzberg will be looking to enter 2014 much the same way she closed out 2013. In the final two games of Ryerson’s schedule before the break against Nipissing and Laurentian, Wronzberg scored once in each of those games. After doing the majority of her scoring in the first half of the year in her first two seasons, she will be looking to break the trend starting Thursday night. She enters the contest against UOIT with six points (5 G, 1 A).
UOIT: Jaclyn Gibson
Gibson is coming off a strong first half to her final season in the CIS by notching 19 points, which is tied for sixth in the OUA and 10th in the CIS. The last time these two teams met it was Gibson scoring the lone goal for the Ridgebacks. After an eight point November, Gibson will be looking to lead her team to a deep playoff run.
Between the Pipes:
Ryerson: Emma Crawley
After not starting in net until the third game of the season, Crawley has stole the net ever since, starting in 11 games for the Rams and putting up good numbers in the process. She has a record of 4-6 with a 2.24 GAA and a .919 save percentage but struggled going into the break. In her last three games she allowed eight goals but will look to build on an otherwise solid first half, starting on Thursday night.
UOIT: Cassie Charette
Charette may have only started in six games in the first half of the season, but she has been solid going into the break. So far this season, she has posted a 2-3 record with a 2.50 GAA and a .915 save percentage. In the last three games, Charette only allowed five goals, including a shutout against Ryerson. Charette also made 38 saves against No. 2 nationally ranked Laurier on Dec. 1, 2013.