GUELPH - Over the past few years, the Guelph Gryphons and Brock Badgers have developed quite the rivalry in OUA men's hockey. And despite the fact that the 2017-18 hockey season is still in its infancy, the Gryphons have already twice come out on top versus their rivals from St. Catharines. On Wednesday night in Guelph, the Gryphons picked up a 3-2 win over the visiting Badgers in a game that marked the OUA regular season opener for both teams. Gryphons second year forward Nick Boyer scored the game-winner with six minutes remaining in the final period to secure the two points for the Gryphs. It marked the second time this season that the Gryphons have beaten the Badgers, after having also spoiled Brock's homecoming during a preseason game back on September 15.

"It's always great to start the season with a win," said Gryphons head coach Shawn Camp, now in his 11th season behind the U of G bench. "We started out really well in the 1st period, had a bit of a let down in the 2nd, but picked it up again late to finish things off. It's good to get a result like that with a tough opponent like Ryerson coming into our place tomorrow night."

Gryphons rookie goalie Andrew Masters impressed back in mid-September when he made 23-saves in his

Gryphon debut versus Brock in the "Steel Blade" classic. But that was a preseason game. On Wednesday night, Masters was back in between the pipes for a game that had regular season implications on the line. And this time, Masters was even better. The NCAA transfer, who spent time south of the border with the Miami of Ohio Redhawks, was solid in his first regular season game in a Gryphon uniform, turning away 35 of the 37 shots sent his way. Several of those saves were of a high quality, with the Kitchener, Ontario native making big toe-saves on multiple occasions on the night, including one in the dying seconds of play as the Badgers pressed with their goalie pulled and an extra skater on the ice. 

"Andrew has been really consistent so far early in the season for us," added Camp. "He seems to have a bit of a habit for making some big saves at key times."

With Masters doing his part at the backend, the Gryphons offence did their part with goals in each period of play. Fourth year veteran forwards Seth Swenson and Tryg Strand, both assistant captains on this year's Gryphons squad, scored on the opening night of the 2017-18 season. Swenson's 1st period goal opened the scoring while Strand's goal late in the 2nd period tied things up at 2-2 after a pair of Brock goals temporarily gave the Badgers the lead.
 

With just under seven minutes to go in the 3rd, fourth year defenceman Reilly O'Connor's pass from the blueline would find Nick Boyer in front of the Brock net all alone. Boyer would show off some great hands in close before roofing a backhand past Brock goalie Clint Windsor for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

The Gryphons (1-0-0) will not have much time to enjoy Wednesday night's victory as they will be right back in action again on Thursday night with a home game against the No. 8-ranked team in the country in the Ryerson Rams. Puck drop at the Gryphon Centre is set for 7:30pm.
 

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