GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team has been in search of a boost. They would get it on home ice. Marc Stevens registered a hat-trick to lift the Gryphons to a convincing 4-1 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues in front of a big crowd made up of many OAC students and alumni for the second annual Aggies Night at the Gryphon Centre Arena.

The Aggies Night theme honours the University of Guelph's renowned Ontario Agricultural College. And the focused Gryphons offered an excellent tribute to the college and its members with their best game of the year to date. Guelph came out flying and never looked in any trouble as they outskated, outhit, and outshot Toronto (2-3-0).

"It was our most complete 60 minutes of the season," said Gryphons' head coach Shawn Camp. "All of our lines were rolling, the D were moving the puck.

"It was an important game for us," he added. "We appreciate what our Aggie students bring to this university. And how we played tonight symbolizes what they're all about – where they go one, they go all. Our Aggies represent the school so well and bring incredible energy.

"It was a privilege to honour them with our annual Aggies Night."

Stevens's goals were his second, third and fourth of the season for Guelph (3-3-1), while Seth Swenson had the other marker.

The second-year winger from Turkey Point, ON had already scored a pair in the first period when his hat-trick goal, late in the third, put the game away. He went to the net and deposited a puck from the right side of the crease with 5:34 remaining, a big goal that made it 4-1 and ended hopes of a Toronto rally.

It was an emotional night for Stevens and his brothers Michael, a teammate, and Justin, an assistant coach with the Gryphons. Their father Larry Stevens was in attendance but mom Rosanne was unable to make it. She was attending a memorial service in Brantford for the brothers' grandfather Desio Lucente, who had passed away in the summer.

"It was great to be able to score a few goals for him," said an emotional Stevens, getting ready to call his mother with the result. "I know he was watching."

Justin, in his first year with the Gryphons' staff, said Desio and grandmother Pat were a big influence on the boys growing up. Marc's performance, along with the entire team effort, was particularly meaningful.

"Mom sent a text and said, 'play for Papa,'" he explained. "We miss him every day."

Stevens, who figured the last time he scored three in a game was in minor hockey, said the goals were all a result of full effort by his line. He had missed some time with an injury so Camp was glad to have him in the lineup.

"It's great to see him come back," the coach said. "He gives us instant offence."

Goaltender Jason Da Silva made 16 saves. The rookie wasn't too busy but came up with some key stops. One of his best saves of the night was late in the second period with Guelph up just two goals. Toronto's Connor Graham set up to Da Silva's right and got off a good shot from in close but was denied.

The Gryphons had the big crowd of Aggies fired up early after Stevens scored his first of the evening. Defenceman Josh McFadden flew up the left wing and sent a beautiful pass to the slot, and Stevens, who admitted he couldn't see the puck, reached out to slide it past Varsity Blues' goalie Frederic Foulem at 17:57 of the first period.

He got his second of the night later in the period. Toronto took a cross-checking penalty and on the ensuing power play, rookie centreman Todd Winder found Stevens in the left circle, where he unloaded a one-timer top-shelf past a helpless Foulem.

"We had been working on our power play," Stevens said. "Todd put it on a platter for me."

Guelph outshot the visitors 15-6 in a dominant first period, and 36-17 overall.

The hosts had a chance to build on the lead late in the second period when they were awarded a penalty shot. But Cody Thompson's quick, low shot went just wide of the left post to keep the game 2-0. Thompson also had a breakaway about eight minutes into the third period but again couldn't beat Foulem.

The Gryphons' main blip on the night came almost midway through the third period when they gave up the puck in their own end after a Guelph player had to leave the ice when his neck guard came off, which led to the lone Toronto goal. Curtis Harvey slid a pass right to the front of the net where Dean Klomp was all alone to lift one past a diving Da Silva and into an open cage.

But Swenson would answer quickly with a nice tip on a point shot with 6:14 left. Stevens then banged in his hat-trick goal 40 seconds later, with his brother Michael grabbing an assist on the play.

"Right from the first shift every line was going," Stevens said. "Guys were giving 100 per cent and we were rewarded with two big points."

The Gryphons are back in action Sunday, Nov. 5 when they head to York to take on the defending OUA champions in Toronto. Puck drops at 7 pm.