The Guelph Gryphons were edged 5-4 by the Waterloo Warriors in a see-saw battle Friday night.  In an entertaining affair that could have gone either way, Waterloo relied on a late goal in the third period to grab the win.

Kurt Thorner opened the scoring in the first period before Matt Lyall (Richmond Hill) scored on a wicked wrist shot set up by J.T. Macdonald (Niagara Falls) and Justin Gvora (Thunder Bay) to end the first period 1-1.

The second period featured most of the scoring when Waterloo grabbed a 3-1 lead on a first minute goal by Jarrett Schnurr and a powerplay marker from captain Chris Ray.  The Gryphons regained their composure and scored on goals by Macdonald set up by Gvora and Lyall and another goal to tie it at three by a diving Thomas Kiriakou (Richmond Hill) on a goalmouth assist from Ed Gale (Keswick).  Guelph outshot Waterloo 15-13 in the period.

The dramatic third period went back and forth before Schnurr connected on his second of the game to put the Warriors ahead 4-3.  However, Mike Kusy (St. Catherines) replied on a back door goal on some hard work from Zach Lillie (Bracebridge) and Geoff Guimond (Mississauga) to tie the game and set up the late finish.  Tyler Moir was the hero when he banged in the rebound winner with just over two minutes to go.

The shots were 38 each and Cody St. Jacques was again solid in nets for Guelph while Keaton Hartigan got the win for Waterloo.  Guelph went 0/9 on the powerplay while Waterloo was 2/11.

The Gryphons are back in action tonight (Sat.) when they host the UOIT Ridgebacks in a divisional contest at the Gryphon Centre at 7:30 P.M.