The youthful Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 4-3 Saturday night in North Bay in a pre-season match. 

As has become their habit the Gryphons jumped out to a lead and then battled to keep it. Guelph opened the scoring in the first period on a quick pass and shot finished by Andres Kopstals (Toronto) set up by Scott Simmonds (Uxbridge). Nipissing evened the score a few minutes later on a goal by Brogan Bailey.  Less than a minute later Guelph regained the lead on a shorthanded marker from Michael Charbonneau (Guelph) on a lead pass from Carlos Amestoy (Toronto). 

Guelph added to the lead in the second period scoring the only goal of the period on a powerplay goal by hometown boy Nicklas Huard (North Bay) on a couple of slick passes from Teal Burns (Victoria, B.C.) and Mac Nichol (Listowel).  The Gryphons led 3-1 after two.

The Lakers evened the game in the third period on two powerplay markers from Jim McDowell.  This merely set the table for more last minute heroics from Nick Huard who scored the game winner and second of the game in the last minute for the win.  The winner was set up by Burns and Rob DeFulviis (Toronto).

Keith Hamilton (Kelowna, B.C.) was solid in the victory for the Gryphons stopping 29 0f 32 shots he faced. Kirk Rafuse and Jeremy Pominville split duties for the Lakers making a combined 26 of 30 shots faced.

Next action for the Gryphons is Sunday afternoon again at Nipissing at 2 P.M. at the Memorial Gardens.  This will be the Gryphons seventh consecutive road game to start the season.