GUELPH, Ont. - Playing with a major sense of urgency to their game as they try to make their push into the playoffs, the Guelph Gryphons came out strong Wednesday night at the Gryphon Centre, but unfortunately did not have much to show for it in the end. Despite controlling much of the offensive play, the Gryphons wound up falling 3-1 to the visiting Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in the Gryphons final home game of the 2019-20 OUA regular season.
Right from the opening face-off, the Gryphons came out with a purpose and established control of the game as well as an early tempo. Dominating much of the first twenty minutes, the Gryphons fired the first six shots of the game, while going on to out-shoot the visitors 15-5 in the first period. However, despite the high shot total and tremendous chances, Ridgeback's goalie Briar Hughes was able to come up with big save after big save to keep the game scoreless after one.
As the second period got underway, not much time had passed before Ontario Tech was able to open the scoring. Just 57 seconds the period, a loose puck wound on up on the stick of Erin Ross, who was able to get a quick shot past Gryphon's goalie Aurore Beaulieu. For the home side though, it did not take very long to respond. After having plenty of opportunities denied by the Ontario Tech goalie, the Gryphons were finally able to breakthrough. Skating the puck into the high slot, Molly Crossman wired home a wrist-shot that put the Gryphons on the board and tied the game 1-1. Unfortunately for Guelph, it was only 43 seconds later when the Ridgebacks re-took the lead on a 2-on-1.
With the score holding at 2-1 heading into the final frame of regulation, the Gryphons had a big challenge in front of them, but one that they came out prepared to tackle. Much like the opening frame, the Gryphons got back to working the offensive zone with their cycle game forcing Ontario Tech to remain deep in their own end. In the end though, despite out-shooting the Ridgebacks 12-4 in the period, the Gryphons were unable to find that elusive second goal, while Ontario Tech was able to tack on one more goal late to secure the win.
After the final buzzer had sounded, Beaulieu finished with 13 saves, while Hughes made 33. On the power-play the Gryphons finished 0 for 3 with the Ridgebacks going 1 for 4.
Tied with Western for the eighth and final playoff spot, the Gryphons will look to secure as many points as they can this weekend as they wrap up their regular season with a pair of road games. The Gryphons will head to North Bay on Friday to take on the Nipissing Lakers before going to Sudbury on Saturday to battle the Laurentian Voyageurs.
