GUELPH – The habits are being established and the results are following. The Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team played one of its best games of the season in a 5-0 demolition of the Nipissing Lakers at Gryphon Centre Arena Sunday afternoon.
 
The two-time defending OUA champions were virtually flawless in winning for the fourth consecutive time and third straight by way of shutout. Guelph has gone 10 periods without allowing a goal, the last time an opponent scored coming in the second period of a 2-1 home win over Windsor on Nov. 3.
 
"It's not just a complete game but two complete games back-to-back, which we really needed," said head coach Rachel Flanagan, referencing Saturday's efficient 2-0 win over Laurentian.
 
"Our goalies are making the saves they need to make and our D have just really cleaned up the front of the net. A lot of credit to them for buying in and lifting sticks to make it hard to get a second puck, if there is one."

Captain Kaitlin Lowy scored her OUA-leading sixth tally of the season for Guelph (5-3-0), while Claire Merrick, Kristen Jay, Kelly Gribbons and Miranda Lantz all had a goal each. Katherine Bailey and Mallory Young chipped in two assists apiece.
 
Valerie Lamenta stopped all 21 shots she faced. The Montreal, QC native came up big early in the second period, keeping her right pad down firmly on the ice as a couple Laker players swiped away at a puck in the crease. Moments later, the former U SPORTS Player of the Year stood tall as Nipissing forward Jetta Derenoski came in alone from the left circle and tried to beat Lamenta high.
 
She showed her incredible composure late in the second period, stopping Jade Gauthier in close and then denying another wide-open Laker from the low slot to keep it 2-0 Guelph. And Lamenta was extra sharp in the dying moments as Nipissing threw everything at her trying to spoil the shutout.
 
"Val played really well today," said Flanagan, praising both of her netminders for their stellar play during the goalless streak. "She earned her shutout for sure."
 
The Gryphons made life difficult for the Lakers' Danika Ranger. Ranger has been one of the elite goaltenders in the league early in the season, entering the day ranked second in the OUA in save percentage (.967) and third in goals against average (0.82).
 
"We knew that this was a goalie we weren't probably going to score on with a point-blank shot so we needed to get some traffic in front of her and bang home some rebounds," said Flanagan.
 
It was the first of two games this season between last year's McCaw Cup finalists, a contest the Gryphons won 6-1 for their second straight OUA title. And Guelph seemed to pick it up from when they last met, coming out flying and establishing a solid forecheck on the first shift of the game. The Gryphons were given an excellent opportunity when the Lakers took a four-minute penalty for contact to the head –  and they paid for it quickly. Lowy gathered a loose puck around the crease and tucked it in behind Ranger 4:19 into the game for what proved to be the game-winning goal. 
 
In addition to taking over the OUA goal-scoring lead, Lowy's power-play marker was her third of the year, tying her with two other players atop the conference. But the fourth-year Toronto, ON native also showed off her multi-dimensional game, unselfishly dropping to block a shot on a Nipissing power play late in the second period.
 
Flanagan said that she believed Lowy's time with a U SPORTS All-star team at the Hockey Canada Summer Showcase in Calgary this past August has helped the talented forward elevate her game.
 
"The opportunity to play against some of development level girls and watch them in fitness testing and training is really driving her to be a little better every day and try new things," the coach said. "Kaitlin was given the 'C' this year and she's really trying to bring the team along. She's inspired everyone else and she's not the only one leading that way. Her game is a bit more complete than it's ever been."
 
Merrick would make it 2-0 Guelph 7:10 into the second period when she went hard to the net right up the middle of the ice and put a rebound in behind Ranger with a quick shot. Jay added a third when she redirected a shot on an odd-man rush that flipped high into the air and over Ranger early in the third period.
 
Gribbons extended the lead to 4-0 on a one-time blast through Ranger's five-hole at 9:42 of the third, and Lantz finished the scoring with an empty netter at 15:53 as the Lakers pulled Ranger early for an extra attacker to try and get one past Lamenta.
 
Guelph will travel to London Thursday, Nov. 16 to face the Western Mustangs. The puck drops at 7 pm.