Box Score
MEN'S HOCKEY - Gryphons defeat Lakehead Thunderwolves 5-2 in weekend doubleheader
 
Guelph, Ont. - The Guelph Gryphon men's hockey team remained undefeated after a 5-2 win against the Lakehead Thunderwolves at the Gryphon Centre Friday night. The Gryphons advance to 3-0 on the season while the Thunderwolves drop to 2-1.
 
The first period started out with plenty of back and forth action between the evenly matched teams. Shots on goal were low at the beginning of the first period as the teams were quick about clearing the puck from their territory. The Gryphons used their size against the Thunderwolves, but a big hit from James Merrett led to the first power play of the game for Lakehead after an interference call at 7:16 against the Gryphons. Lakehead used the power play, but were not able to beat Gryphon goalie Keith Hamilton.
 
Lakehead player Cody Alcock (Oshawa, Ont.) was called for roughing at 9:27, leading to the first Gryphon power play of the game. Guelph used the man advantage, leading to a few good tries by Kenneth Peroff from the blue line. It would be Nicklas Huard who would get the first goal of the game, beating the Lakehead goalie from inside the crease, with Kenneth Peroffand Teal Burns on the assist. Lakehead came back in the next two minutes with their own goal by Trevor Gamauche (Longlac, Ont.), with Andrew Wilkins (Pickering, Ont.) and Cody Alcock on the assist, making it 1-1 at the end of the first period.  
 
Guelph started out the second period on a power play after a penalty on Lakehead player Nathan Bruyere (Eagle Lake, Ont.) for roughing. Brett Appio cored a quick goal in the first 15 seconds of the second period, shooting it right into the top corner of the net after the assist from Nicklas Huard and James Merrett to make it 2-1 early on in the period.  Cale Jefferies score the first goal out of power play for Guelph, making it 3-1 after yet another shot straight to the top corner, assisted by Robert Lepine and Steven Strong.
 
Guelph got their third goal during another power play after Lakehead player Matt Kaarela (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was called for cross checking. Lakehead appeared to be successfully killing the penalty, getting a breakaway. The Thunderwolves were unable to beat Gryphon goalie, Keith Hamilton and it was quickly taken back into Lakehead territory. After an assist from Cameron Odam and Teal Burns  it was Kyle Neuber  that tipped the goal in to make it 4-1 in the last few seconds of the power play.
 
Guelph started the third period with more back and forth action. A penalty to Cameron Odam for tripping at 2:26 gave Lakehead a man-advantage, but it quickly turned into a two-man advantage after JJames Merrettwas called for hooking at 2:40. Lakehead quickly moved the puck into Guelph territory. A scrum by the net had the Gryphon defensemen battling against the Thunderwolves to keep the puck out of the net, but it would be Mike Hammond (Victoria B.C.) who would knock it in, making it 4-2 at 2:25 in the power play.
 
Lakehead upped the intensity, out shooting the Gryphons. A breakaway by Brett Appio after a pass from Teal Burns looked hopeful for Guelph, but they were unable to beat the Lakehead goalie, Justin McDonald (Turtleford, SK). In the last minute of play Lakehead pulled their goalie in an attempt to overtake the Gryphons, but it backfired when James Merrett scored a breakaway goal on an empty net making it 5-2 late in the third period.
 
Lakehead out shot the Gryphons with a total of 30-26, but they were unable to out score Guelph, as the final score was 5-2 for the Gryphons.
 
The Gryphon men's hockey team hits the ice again on Saturday October 19^th for their second game against the Thunderwolves at the Gryphon Centre, with the puck set to drop at 7:30 p.m.