OTTAWA, Ont. – There may have been some method to the madness of the Gryphons Hockey team playing so many road games early in the preseason. Nothing like a little adversity of long road trips, back to back games and tight games to prepare a team to play against two highly nationally ranked teams in the Carleton Ravens and the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
The Gryphons had to be at their best on Friday and despite trailing 2-0 after one period on a pair of power play goals, responded with a gritty and more disciplined effort.
Brendan Cregan vs Ottawa Gee-Gees
Connor Bramwell (Hamilton, Ont.) got the Gryphs rolling on a setup by
Ryan Da Silva (Newmarket, Ont.) and
Todd Winder (Uxbridge, Ont.).
Giordano Finoro (Guelph, Ont.) banged home a rebound on a three way passing play with Da Silva and
Zachary Poirier (Mountain, Ont.) in on the rush to tie the game.
In the third period the Gryphons continued to pressure the Ravens and Todd Winder fired a screen shot on the rush that found its way past Justin Nichols on a rush set up by
Ted Nichol (Listowel, Ont.) and
Jesse Saban (Lindsay, Ont.).
Andrew Masters was outstanding in net for the Gryphons making 34 of 36 saves for the win. Saturday's game with the Gee-Gees was fast paced with the Gryphs trailing 1-0 after the first period. They responded with three goals in the second.
Marc Stevens (Turkey Point, Ont.) was set up low by
Ryan Valentini (Mississauga, Ont.) and Saban. Winder followed with a goal from Nichol and captain
Mikkel Aagaard (Frederikshaven, Denmark). And Bramwell added a third from Valentini and
Stephen Templeton (Waterdown, Ont.).
The third period saw Ottawa close to 4-3 before Valentini scores from
Zach McFadden (Guelph, Ont.) and Bramwell to restore the two goal lead. The veteran Gee-Gee squad battled back with two late goals to send the game to OT.
While on the power play in OT the Gee-Gees got the game winner for a final 5-4 for Ottawa.
Brendan Cregan (Bedford, N.S.) made 43 of 48 shots in the game.
With the three of four points this weekend the Gryphons move to first place in the OUA West and host the University of Waterloo Warriors Wednesday Oct. 23 at the Gryphon Centre.
