Regis/Altoona/McDonell RAM Hockey continued their dominant season with a 3-2 win over the Hayward Hurricanes on Thursday night, moving them to a record of 12 wins and only 1 loss. This win moved RAM Hockey to a 3 and 0 record in conference play, tied for the lead in the middle border conference with Amery.

The first period started chaotically when the Hurricanes drew a quick penalty 19 seconds into the game. However, RAM set the tone for the first period, and arguably the entire game with a dominant kill and a couple high danger scoring chances off the stick of junior forward Nate Spencer, including a shorthanded breakaway.

After nearly 5 minutes of dominant hard hitting hockey by RAM, Nate Spencer’s third great scoring chance found the back of the net and broke the ice 4:45 into the first.

It was clear that the RAM’s top line brought their A game, with #14 Tanner Robinson and #10 Nate Spencer buzzing all over the ice especially in the Hurricane zone. The pressure eventually paid off when Tanner Robinson pulled off a flashy move through the Hurricane defencemen and roofed one upstairs to put RAM up 2-0 at the midway point of the first.

Without a stellar first period in net from Hayward goaltender Gavin Hand, RAM could’ve ran away with this one early, shots on goal were 9 to 6 Ram after 1 period of play.

Hayward head coach Neil Mattson must’ve said something in between periods to get his Hurricanes going, because that’s exactly what happened. The Hurricanes began the first 5 minutes of the 2nd period with their foot on the gas, forcing numerous turnovers and icings from their opponents.

These two teams found themselves in a 4 on 4 situation a third of a way into the 2nd period, and Hayward took advantage. The Hurricanes answered the bell when senior forward Kaleb Rasmussen found fellow senior forward Guy Swenson in the slot to cut the RAM lead to 2-1.

The Hurricanes found their groove all throughout their dominant 2nd period, drawing numerous power plays, including a 5 on 3 advantage lasting almost over a minute and a half. RAM goaltender Callan Laux made some spectacular saves, but in the dying seconds of the 2 man advantage, Hurricane forward Liam Aldoff let go an absolute missile post and in from outside the circle, knotting the score at 2 a side.

A great responsive period from the Hayward Hurricanes, outshooting RAM 13 to 5 in the 2nd.

The 3rd period was a different story, with RAM dominating most of the play and outfitting Hayward drastically. Every chance they got, the body was being played, which led the RAM offence to find its momentum once again. Nate Spencer hit the post 2 minutes into the period, which led to RAM forward Tavian Gilbert-Rasso scoring off his own rebound just within a minute later to put RAM on top 3-2.

RAM did not make holding onto the lead and closing out the 3rd period easy on themselves, taking multiple penalties within the last 7 minutes of the game. This ferocious RAM club wore down the Hurricanes. Goalie Callan Laux was stellar when he needed to be, but pure late game domination helped RAM prevail 3-2.

Although the scoresheet may only say 1 goal a piece, RAM forwards Tanner Robinson and Nate Spencer had themselves a game, dominating the play and controlling the flow of the game. Spencer and Robinson currently lead RAM with 40 and 37 points in the teams 13 games. RAM will look to continue their so far successful season at River Falls this Saturday while Hayward will host Amery, undefeated in conference play, at home next Tuesday, January 14th.