THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team opened their 2025-26 regular season Friday night (Oct. 3), taking on the Lakehead Thunderwolves from Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. The Gryphons would score three unanswered goals in the third period to come away with the 5-2 road victory in a chippy affair which saw both teams combine for 113 total penalty minutes.
 
The Gryphons got out to an early lead at the 5:33 mark in the opening period when Dylan Hudon was in the right place at the right time to get to the loose puck and find the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead. Lakehead would tie the game up later in the period, taking advantage of Guelph penalty trouble and scoring on a 5-on-3. The Gryphs in the second period would return the favour on the man advantage as Griffin Wilson scored from in tight to put the visitors ahead 2-1.
 
After the Thunderwolves tied it to make it 2-2 in the third period, the Gryphons would answer once again just 67 seconds later when Chase Lammi strips the puck in the neutral zone to start the rush as he makes a perfect pass to Kaeden Johnston who roofs one high gloveside to give Guelph the lead. The Gryphon lead would double 28 seconds later when Jack Wismer scores on the breakaway for his first Gryphon goal to make it 4-2. Anthony Tabak would add another one on the power play at the 8:59 mark of the third as he was able to circle around and split the Lakehead defenders and scored as he found the opening short side to seal the 5-2 win for Guelph in their season opener.
 
First year goalie Olivier Ciarlo making his first career OUA start impressed in the victory, stopping 30 of his 32 shots for his first career OUA win. Dylan Hudon and Griffin Wilson each had a goal and an assist in the win. This was a penalty filled affair throughout the night with both teams combining for 113 penalty minutes which included seven 10-minute misconduct penalties in the first of four meetings between these OUA West division rivals.
 
The Gryphons men's hockey team (1-0) will renew acquaintances with Lakehead (0-1) tomorrow night (Oct. 4) from Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay in the second game of a weekend doubleheader. The Gryphs are back at home ice for the first time this season on Thursday night (Oct. 9) when they host the Waterloo Warriors in their home opener. Puck drop from the Gryphon Centre is scheduled for 7:30pm with tickets available at gryphons.ca/tickets.