Christou's first goal of season helps Lancers eliminate No. 4-ranked Rams
The Windsor Lancers men's hockey team pulled off another upset in the OUA playoffs.
Jim Parker, Windsor Star
The Lancers rallied from an early deficit to beat the No. 4-ranked Ryerson Rams 3-1 on Saturday in Toronto.
With it, the Lancers, who came into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the West Division, swept the best-of-three semifinal series 2-0 over the Rams, who were the division's top seed.
"It's adding to our fuel," Lancers forward Mike Christou said of the upset label. "We know we have what it takes and instead of just talking, we just ignore it and go on the ice and leave it all there.
"We know we deserved to win it."
After taking out third-seeded Laurier in the first round and now top-seeded Ryerson in the second round, the Lancers now face the second-seeded York Lions, who are ranked No. 9 in the country, in the division final. The best-of-three series opens at South Windsor Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
A win in that series will assure the Lancers a spot at the national championship for the third time in the last five seasons.
"We all have a goal in mind and we won't celebrate until we reach it," Christou said.
The Lancers have battled injuries all season. Christou was one of those players to miss significant time as he battled a concussion and a broken hand.
"He's playing the best hockey I've seen him here in four years," Lancers head coach Kevin Hamlin said of the 25-year-old Christou.
Heading into Saturday's game, Christou had not scored a goal this season. After a scoreless opening period, the Rams got on the board first, but Justice Dundas pulled the Lancers even after 40 minutes.
A minute into the third period, Christou notched the game-winner as he put home a rebound off a Blake Blondeel shot.
"(Blondeel) did all the work," Christou said. "I went to the net and got a little lucky off a rebound."
Christou added an empty-net goal in the final minute. Goalie Blake Richard made 32 saves to secure the win for the Lancers.
jpparker@postmedia.com
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