GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team and their counterpart Toronto Varsity Blues aren't too fond of each other. That was clear in the thrilling back end of a chippy home-and-home between the two OUA programs. The No.7-ranked Gryphons got two goals from Claire Merrick and a sensational overtime winner from Miranda Lantz to beat the Varsity Blues 4-3 and extend their streak to seven straight victories.
 
It was the Guelph's second win over Toronto in a five-day span and second consecutive overtime win on home ice. The Gryphons (13-4-0) blanked the Blues (8-7-2) 3-0 last Saturday on the road, though Wednesday's game needed some late magic to decide it.
 
The hosts responded after conceding an improbable equalizer right before the third period ended to dominate the five-minute overtime. Toronto almost won it late but Valerie Lamenta came up with a huge pad save that gave the Gryphons possession. Ashlee Lawrence sprung Lantz for a breakaway and the Mildmay, ON native raced in, went backhand and roofed a shot over Valencia Yordanov with just 11 seconds left on the clock.

"This was a learning experience for us," said head coach Rachel Flanagan, who noted the three mistakes her team made all ended up in the back of the net. "We're happy with the overtime win but we felt like we gave away a point.

"It was a great goal by Lantz. She's really coming into her own with our program and it's nice to see."
 
The Gryphons looked like they had it wrapped up leading 3-2 late but with the Toronto net empty, Kassie Roache was left uncovered in front and deked Lamenta with one second remaining in regulation. The referees gathered to discuss it but the goal was deemed good, sending the 3-3 contest to overtime.
 
Merrick, known as a pass-first forward, carried the load offensively. She opened the scoring minutes into the first period and notched her second of the game early in the third. Merrick took the puck towards the net to the left of Yordanov, made a quick hesitation move, and then buried a low shot stick side for a 3-2 lead.
 
The goals were the third and fourth of the season for the third-year Oakville, ON native, who now has 17 points. Merrick had a great chance at the hat-trick but she was denied by Yordanov on a five-hole attempt in close just 43 seconds before Roache's eventual equalizer.

"We basically threatened Claire last game and said that if she didn't shoot the puck more on the power play, we would take her off the ice. It's a bit of a running joke here."
 
Molly Crossman also scored for Guelph, while Lamenta made 24 saves.
 
It was a heated game and the Gryphons got some extra special teams work in a feisty second period. Minutes after killing off a hooking penalty, Guelph was whistled for body checking when Kaitlin Lowy dropped Stephanie Ayres after the Varsity Blues' forward had upended Katherine Bailey near the boards. But Toronto took a too-many-men minor on the same play, negating a chance to go back on the power play. The Varsity Blues were called for head contact just over two minutes later, though the hosts couldn't cash in on their chance.
 
Guelph finished the night 0-for-5 on the power play. Lowy, who was also called for cross checking in the first period, leads the team in both goals (an OUA-best 12) and penalty minutes (20).
 
The two teams went back and forth in an exciting opening period. The Gryphons started strong and took a quick 1-0 lead just 3:04 into the game when Merrick roofed a shot after taking a beautiful backhand pass from Kelly Gribbons. But Toronto answered minutes later after Eyres tipped a point shot past Lamenta to tie the game 1-1.
 
Guelph retook the lead at the 9:31 mark. Kristen Jay gathered the puck behind the Varsity Blues' net and sent another backhand feed to the low slot, where Crossman one-timed a shot past Yordanov. The Gryphons didn't hang on to the lead for too long, though. Toronto struck again later in the first as Mathilde De Serres shed a Guelph defender and redirected a Julia Szulewska pass from the left wing.
 
The two goals allowed in the first period had to be surprising for the Gryphons, who entered the night leading the OUA with just 22 against in 16 games played.

Flanagan has had no issues with her team's effort. They have improved dramatically after a tough start to the season, and are forging an identity that differs from the two previous McCaw Cup-winning rosters. But she is clear that she would like to see some of the mental lapses eliminated, including weak entries into the opposition's zone.

"Consistency is a struggle," the coach said. "We have really great games and then average games where we're lucky to come away with a win. But the players are working hard."
 
The Gryphons will now go on a 10-day break. They are back at home Saturday, Jan. 27 to host the Queen's Gaels. The puck drops at 2 pm.