OSHAWA, Ont. – For the past several years, the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team have been nearly unbeatable on home ice. Now, they are proving they can take the show on the road as well.
Friday afternoon in Oshawa, the No. 10-ranked Gryphons improved to a perfect 6-0 on the road this season with a decisive 7-3 victory over the UOIT Ridgebacks. Third-year forward
Sydney Davison led the way with a natural hat trick, helping the Gryphons improve to 9-2-1 on the season. The Gryphons have now scored 13 goals in their last two games, both coming on the road following the team's 6-1 victory at Brock prior to the Christmas break.
Friday's game at UOIT marked the unofficial start to the second half of the season for the Gryphons, who began the day just one point back of top spot in the OUA standings. After the host Ridgebacks opened the scoring midway through the first period, the Gryphons would respond with three straight goals from Sydney Davison. For the Oakville native, who has
shown the ability to score goals in bunches since arriving at U of G, Friday's performance marked the third hat trick of her Gryphon career. Davison's third goal of the game was of the short-handed variety, and was the only goal of Guelph's seven to come on special teams.
Stephanie Gava,
Claire Merrick,
Mallory Young and
Katie Mikkelsen all found the back of the net in what was a potent, balanced attack for the visiting Gryphons.
Third-year goalie
Aurore Beaulieu turned away 24 of the 27 shots sent her way for the win, which temporarily moved the Gryphons into top spot in the OUA standings. Guelph will look to make it a perfect 7-0 on the road on Saturday (Jan. 5) when they travel to Kingston to face the Queen's Gaels (8-5-0).
Gryphon Take:
"It was great to see some spread out scoring. We had some great puck movement in the offensive zone and received some really strong performances from some of our younger players who you can tell are starting to settle in." ~ head coach Rachel Flanagan
The Record
Guelph is 9-2-0-1 (wins-losses-OT wins-OT losses)
Next up
@ Queen's – Saturday ,Jan. 5 (3:30pm)
