TORONTO - Back in the OUA postseason for the first time since 2020, the Rams women's hockey team looks to continue their shot for glory in a single-game second round against the Nipissing Lakers this Saturday.
After splitting a home-and-away series with Ontario Tech to end the season, the 6-6-2 Rams narrowly clinched the third seed in the OUA East division, bypassing the play-in first round.
Meanwhile, the Lakers, ranked ninth in the country, have sat near the top of the division all season. They lost just once in the Fall season, coincidentally at the hands of the Rams. The blue and gold also came back and stole an overtime point in a 5-4 loss to the Lakers three weeks ago.
"I think this is probably the most excited we've been to go to Nipissing for a road game, to be honest," said a laughing head coach Lisa Haley last weekend. "It's a building that we usually play well in."
Senior defender Julie Patricio, who the Rams will continue to call on in the playoffs, echoed Haley's excitement.
"We're super fired up to head to North Bay. We'd much rather (have) that than play an extra game," said Patricio. "We always play well when we're at Nipissing."
Lately, Nipissing has dropped three of their last six games, though they bested the No. 1 Toronto Varsity Blues in overtime to end their regular season.
The Lakers' success is largely due to their league-best offence, which put up 3.36 goals per game in the regular season. Nipissing forwards Maria Dominico and Brianna Gaffney led the league in points, with 18 and 16 each. Their scoring has been diversified though, as five different skaters put up double digits in points compared to just two for the Rams.
However, only eight of Nipissing's 47 goals this season came on the power play. As the second-most penalized team in the division, the Lakers have also struggled on the penalty kill, operating at just about 81% and ranked ninth in the province.
The Rams' special teams have slumped recently, but could be the key in "stealing" a win over Nipissing, as coach Haley suggested.
"They're a very, very skilled team," she said about the Lakers. "I think playing against Ontario Tech the last couple days has been good for us to remember how important (the) defensive side of our game is. Hopefully those good habits carry over into Nipissing and we can find a way to steal one up there again."
The Rams may also have a fuller lineup after the week's rest, only adding to the team's playoff excitement.
"Everyone's got a fire lit up in themselves and are ready to go," added Patricio. "Being able to stay united as a whole team is definitely what's going to help us on this run."
Puck drop in North Bay on Saturday is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans can watch live on OUA.tv and follow along @ryersonrams on social media.
