WATERLOO, Ont. - With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Guelph Gryphons got their offence clicking early and often Saturday night at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex en route to forcing a winner take all game three on Sunday. Making the most of their team's biggest strength when it mattered the most, the Gryphons exploded for six goals as they took down the Laurier Golden Hawks 6-3.
Coming off a game one loss in which Gryphon's head coach Shawn Camp felt the team needed to do a better job of getting to the front of net and capitalizing on their chances, the Gryphons did exactly that when faced with the possibility of elimination.
Despite being on the road and away from the Gryphon Centre, the Gryphons still managed to establish the early tone with their speed and physicality. Making a point of going hard into the corners, as well as in front of the net, the Gryphons were quickly rewarded for their hard work. It was only 3:27 into the game when Marc Stevens peeled off the half-wall, drove in to the slot and fired a quick shot which was deflected into the back of the net by Andrew Dodson. With the goal the Gryphons were able to get on the board first for the second straight game to start the playoffs. Unfortunately for Guelph, just like game one, the Golden Hawks were able to reply with the equalizer. Just shy of the midway point of the first period, Anthony Conti was able to tip home a pass on top of the Guelph crease making the score 1-1. However, late in the period the Gryphons were able to get the momentum back. After setting up the first goal, Stevens was back at it finding a rebound and quickly putting it home.
Up by a goal after twenty minutes of play, the Gryphon's offence really began to shine in the second. Continuing the theme of working in to the 'dirty areas', Connor Bramwell got himself in front of the Laurier goal and was able to deflect a Stephen Templeton shot past Golden Hawk's goalie Matt Williams to give Guelph a 3-1 lead.
After Laurier was able to pull back within one, Stevens once again put momentum firmly back on the Gryphon's side. With under seven minutes to play in the period, Stevens took off towards the slot where he found a loose puck and quickly turned it into his second goal of the night. Then shortly after the goal, the Gryphons were sent to the power-play where
Todd Winder fired home a one-timer to put the Gryphons up 5-2.
Starting the final frame up by three, the visitors continued to pour on the offence. A little over four minutes into the frame, Ted Nichol sent a perfect pass out in front of the Laurier goal where Winder calmly tipped in his second goal of the game.
Leading 6-2, the Gryphons saw the Golden Hawks pull within three, but that was as close as they would wind up getting.
In goal for the Gryphons, Brendan Cregan turned aside 18 of Laurier's 21 shots. The Gryphons were able to direct 24 shots towards the Golden Hawk's net. On the power-play Guelph finished 1 for 2 with Laurier going 0 for 2.
Before game two got underway, the Gryphons had scratched their captain and leading scorer Mikkel Aagaard. Prior to the contest, the Denmark native signed a contract with Grizzlies Wolfsburg of the DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany) for the remainder of their season. Unfortunately for the Gryphons, that means Aagaard will no longer be available for Guelph going forward. The Gryphons would like to thank Mikkel for his efforts and commitment to the club over the past two seasons.
With the series now extended to a full three games, the two teams will meet Sunday night at the Gryphon Centre for a winner take all contest. Puck drop from the University of Guelph campus is scheduled for 7:30.
