Rams continue playoff run this week for OUA glory

Women’s hockey, basketball still in it to win it, while volleyball squads start round one in playoffs

February 25, 2020

Update: The Ryerson Rams women's hockey team won their first OUA semifinal game in program history (external link) as they defeated the Varsity Blues 3-2 on February 26. Game two of this OUA semifinals series begins at 7:15 p.m this Saturday at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Not only is a trip to the McCaw Cup championship game available, but also a berth at the U SPORTS national championship.

Similarly, the women's basketball team will compete for the OUA championship this weekend after winning over the Ottawa Gee-Gees in the OUA semifinals (external link) on Wednesday night. The Rams will host the Critelli Cup championship this Saturday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre against the Brock Badgers. Tip off is at 6 p.m. on Coca-Cola Court.

Some hard won games and tough losses were at the centre of this past weekend’s Ryerson Rams matches.

ICYMI, below is a round up of the action this week in hockey, basketball and volleyball.

Women’s hockey complete sweep of Brock to advance to OUA semis (external link)

A female hockey player skates around the back of the net with her arms up in celebration

With their sweep of the 4th-seeded Brock, the Rams have now won five games in a row dating back to the regular season. Photo credit: Christian Bender.

The Ryerson Rams took to home ice during the OUA quarter-final to beat the Brock Badgers 3-2 on Saturday night, advancing to the OUA semifinal in just two games. Next, Ryerson will match up with the top-seeded Toronto Varsity Blues on February 26 and 29 (external link) to continue their quest to the McCaw Cup.

Men’s hockey season ends in overtime heartbreak (external link)

A male hockey goalie blocks an opposing hockey player trying to get the puck against the boards

The Rams failed to convert on four power plays and a 39-23 shot advantage. Photo credit: Christian Bender.

In what was some student-athletes' final game in a Rams uniform, the Ryerson Rams fell 3-2 in overtime to the Western Mustangs in game three of the OUA quarter-final on Sunday night. Sunday marked the first time the Rams lost two consecutive games all season. The Rams now head into the off season.

Women’s basketball team bounces Gaels to advance to OUA semifinal (external link)

A female basketball player about to shoot a jump shot with three other players around her

Focusing on defence, the Rams forced turnovers, got steals and made blocks to win this game. Photo credit: Hung Le.

The Ryerson Rams started their playoff push Saturday evening after a bye week, hosting the Queen's Gaels in a Critelli Cup quarter-final and taking the win 74-59 to advance to the semifinals. The Rams advance to the Critelli Cup semifinal against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Wednesday, February 26 (external link) in Ottawa. Stream the game live on OUA.tv.

Gee-Gees halt men’s basketball playoff run in Ottawa (external link)

A male basketball player reaches for the ball while being guarded by an opposing player

Coming off a dominant win in the opening playoff round, it seemed like the Rams would dominate once again. But that wasn’t the case this past weekend. Photo credit: Christian Bender.

The Ryerson Rams were on the road Saturday night for the Wilson Cup quarter-final against the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Rams ended their playoff chances and season with a heartbreaking 75-54 loss. With no players graduating this year, the Rams will look to get better and strengthen their team during the off season, hopefully coming back better than ever and ready to get back to the national championships.

Women’s volleyball comeback efforts fall two points short in loss to Gaels (external link)

A female volleyball player jumps to spike the ball over the net while an opposing player blocks

The regular season may be over but lots of winning opportunities are possible in the playoffs for the women’s volleyball team. Photo credit: Hung Le.

The Ryerson Rams' valiant comeback attempt fell just two points short in a 3-2 (23-25, 14-25, 25-15, 25-14, 13-15) loss to the Queen's Gaels, wrapping up the regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The Rams will take the week to prepare for post-season competition before hosting the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday, February 29 in the OUA quarter-final (external link) .

Men’s volleyball heads to OUA playoffs (external link)

A male volleyball player jumps to spike the ball over the net while two opposing players block

The men’s volleyball team will compete in Saturday’s OUA quarter-final. Photo credit: Hung Le.

The No. 10 Ryerson Rams men's volleyball team played their last regular season game on Sunday afternoon, taking a 3-0 loss to the No. 6 Queen's Gaels. With both the Rams and the Gaels having already secured the third and second seeds in the OUA East coming into the match, this battle had a little less on the line compared to Saturday's do-or-die playoff games. The Rams will be in Guelph on Saturday, February 29 (external link) taking on the Gryphons in the opening round on the OUA playoffs.

Find out more about the Ryerson Rams (external link) .