SEAFORTH, Ont. – The Gryphons women's hockey team picked up their second win of the preseason on Friday night thanks to a 6-2 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks. The game took place an hour and a half drive from the University of Guelph's main campus, as the rural town of Seaforth, Ontario (located half way between Stratford and Goderich) served as the host venue between the Gryphons and Golden Hawks.
 
An enthusiastic crowd (of over 400) were on hand at the Seaforth & District Community Centre to watch the Gryphons skate to the 6-2 win, with fourth-year forward Karli Shell leading the way for U of G with a hat trick. Successful ticket sales for the game were made possible through the hard work and dedication of the Huron Heat, the local girls' hockey association in Huron County. For Gryphons' head coach Rachel Flanagan, the trip was a great experience for the players, both on and off the ice.
 
"We talked quite a bit about just how much fun it is for our players and our staff to have the opportunity to come to a smaller town like this and to get to be around girls who love the game. Before the game, we had a chance to run a practice for their midget double-B team, and it was a great chance for our girls to provide some guidance and mentoring. Our players were busy signing autographs after the game for the girls at the game, so it was a great experience all around."
 
When it comes to the product on the ice, Flanagan was also content.
 
"We played a really complete first two periods. We let our foot off gas in the third period, but overall we were happy with the performance tonight, especially considering it was on a smaller ice surface, which we've struggled on at times in the past."
 
Aside from Karli Shell's hat trick, the Gryphons also received a pair of goals from captain Kaitlin Lowy, who bookended the Gryphons' scoring on the night. Third-year forward Stephanie Gava also found the back of the net with a second period tally, while fourth-year forward Claire Merrick assisted on five of Guelph's six goals.
 
The Gryphons will wrap up their preseason schedule on Wednesdsay (Oct. 10) on home ice as the Waterloo Warriors visit the Gryphon Centre.
 
The puck drops on the 2018-19 OUA regular season on Friday, October 19 when the Gryphons will travel to Waterloo for a matchup with the Laurier Golden Hawks.