RIDGETOWN, Ont. – Technically, it will go down as the first home game of the 2017-18 season for the Gryphons men's hockey team. This one, however, was not played at the Gryphon Centre. Nor was it played at the Sleeman Centre in downtown Guelph. Instead, the Gryphons found themselves a home away from home.
 

On Sunday, October 1, the Gryphons men's hockey team played host to the Windsor Lancers in the inaugural edition of "The Ridgetown Showdown." The preseason game took place in the rural community of Ridgetown, Ontario, home to the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus. Gryphons fourth year forward Trevor Morbeck scored the game-winning goal midway through the 3rd period to give the Gryphons a 2-1 win in front of a near capacity crowd of over 500 fans at East Kent Memorial Arena.
 
"This was a phenomenal experience for our players," said Gryphons head coach Shawn Camp. "Our guys received a tour of this beautiful campus and got to meet some of the individuals from the Ridgetown staff. It was great day and we were honoured to be able to represent the Gryphons on a U of G campus that, before today, our guys had never seen before."
 
The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus is an agriculturally focused research and education centre located in the heart of Canadian agriculture country in the Chatham-Kent municipality. The campus, which is about a two and a half hour drive from Guelph, features 450 acres of research and campus grounds and has 650 full-time students specializing in diploma certificate, Masters and PhD. programs.
 
"This entire event was a great boost for our Ridgetown staff and students," said Ken McEwan, Campus Director at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. "We saw some tremendous support from the Ridgetown community and were really impressed with the high level of hockey we saw on the ice. It was exciting for us to have the Gryphons visit our campus and hope to do this again next year."
 
The game was played walking distance from the Ridgetown Campus at East Kent Memorial Arena. The facility, which was first built in 1954 before undergoing significant renovations and additions both in the 1970's as well as the mid 1990's, has primarily served as the host to minor hockey games in the Chatham-Kent municipality. This marked the first time that East Kent Memorial Arena had played host to a University hockey game. The intimate setting was part of a memorable experience for the Gryphon players. "It was a lot of fun today to be able to be part of this," says Gryphons Captain and fourth year forward Scott Simmonds. "Obviously the rink here is smaller than what we're used to, but the fans were outstanding and this was a day that all the guys were really looking forward to. We're glad we were able to pull out the win."
 
Sunday's game marked the third game in as many nights for the Gryphons, who were in Toronto Friday night facing the Varsity Blues, followed by a Saturday night game in up-state New York versus the Clarkson Golden Knights (NCAA).

Simmonds, who also plays on the Gryphons men's rugby team, even suited up for a Saturday afternoon rugby match in Kingston before re-joining his hockey teammates in Potsdam, New York. Despite the demanding travel schedule, the Gryphons were still able to jump out to a 1-0 lead on the Lancers Sunday night thanks to a pair of rookie forwards. After being sent in all alone on a nice pass from fellow rookie Chris Cobham, Todd Winder (Uxbridge, ON) would open the scoring with a short-handed goal, beating Windsor goalie Blake Richard low, blocker side to give the Gryphons a 1-0 lead.
 
After Windsor tied the game at 1-1, the Gryphons special teams would come through again in the 3rd period, this time with the Gryphons on the power play. First year defenceman Mathieu Henderson would show off some great open ice speed, leading a rush that was ultimately finished off by Trevor Morbeck, whose quick release in the slot found the back of the net.

That goal, which came with 8:22 remaining in the final period, would be all the Gryphons would need, thanks in part to some solid goaltending from rookie netminder Jason Da Silva. The Milton native impressed in what was his first start of the preseason. Da Silva, who spent time in the OHL with both the Peterborough Petes and Guelph Storm, made 30 saves on the night for the win, including several big saves on Windsor breakaways. The game also featured plenty of emotions, with the two teams combining for 97 minutes in penalties.
 
With the "Ridgetown Showdown" now in the books, the preseason portion of the Gryphons schedule has officially concluded. Up next, the Gryphons will get set to drop the puck on the 2017-18 OUA regular season with a home game versus Brock on Wednesday, October 11.
 

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"Ridgetown Showdown" Scoring Summary

1st Period
No scoring

2nd Period
Guelph goal (#28 Todd Winder - assisted by #20 Chris Cobham - 15:07)
Windsor goal (#12 Ian Parker - assisted by #13 Justice Dundas and #19 Alex Friesen - 2:25)

3rd Period
Guelph goal (#11 Trevor Morbeck - assisted by #15 Cody Thompson and #75 Mathieu Henderson - 8:22)
 

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