This article first appeared on RyersonRams.ca on September 12, 2014.
LONDON, ONT. — The start of the Ryerson Rams men’s hockey team’s exhibition schedule turned out to be a thriller as the Western Mustangs defeated the Rams 5-4 in double overtime on Friday night at Thompson Arena.
The Rams carried the pace of play for the majority of the game, outshooting Western 52-37.
It would be the Mustangs who would get on the board first with a goal by first-year forward Trent Ouellette at 6:35 of the first period.
Ryerson would answer right back 21 seconds later when new defenceman Steve Midensky (Burlington, Ont.) would wind-up and blast a shot past Western’s Marc Nother to tie it up.
Ryerson would get their first lead of the game halfway through the second period with a goal by another new recruit, Alex Basso (Toronto) from the point. The score would be extended to 3-1 before the end of the middle frame when sophomore Lucas Froese (Grunthal, Man.) would snap a shot from the slot into the net.
The Mustangs would remain persistent and finally get their chance to get back into the game just 2:26 into the third period on a scramble in front, with Adam McKee jamming it home.
Just over two minutes later, Ryerson failed to clear the puck out of their own end, and Western’s Stefan Salituro would tie the game at three.
Western would take the lead on a powerplay goal but a nice play by junior centreman Michael Fine (Toronto), going end-to-end, would tie the game before the end of regulation.
The Rams would get into some penalty trouble, receiving a five-minute major in the first overtime period to put them shorthanded.
As the penalty came to a close, Salituro would score his second of the game to give the 2013-14 OUA West division champions the victory.
Domenic Alberga recorded three assists for Ryerson to kick off his sophomore campaign.
Nother made 48 saves in net to record the win while Ryerson’s veteran goaltender Troy Passingham (Mississauga, Ont.) and Knick Dawe (Penetenguishene, Ont.) split the Ryerson net. Passingham allowed one goal on 16 shots while Dawe made 17 saves in the loss.
Ryerson returns to the ice on Sept. 19 when they head to Oshawa, Ont. to face the UOIT Ridgebacks.