The Guelph Gryphons are learning a lot about themselves this season and another lesson was learned on Friday night in a wild 5-4 shootout loss to the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres Patriotes.  

The young Gryphons know that if they stick to the game plan they give themselves every chance to win any game.  After spotting the Patriotes a 3-0 lead the Gryphons roared back tie the game and set up a wildly exciting finish.

Although the first period was scoreless the pace was excellent as both teams skated very well.  Guelph outshot U.Q.T.R. 13-7 and had better chances to score.

In the second period some undisciplined penalties hurt the Gryphons as U.Q.T.R. opened the scoring on goals by J.S. Breton and a powerplay goal by Felix Petit.  The shots favoured the Patriotes 10-8.

When Francis Charland scored early in the third period on the powerplay for U.Q.T.R. the Gryphons responded in a manner not to let this game slip away. Gaining back the momentum shift by shift the Gryphons scored the first of three hard working goals by Ed Gale (Keswick) on assists by Cale Jefferies (Embro, Mb.) and Thomas Kiriakou (Richmond Hill).  Shortly after Kiriakou scored one of his own set up by Gale and Kris Belan (Florence).  While pressuring the Patriotes net with quality chances, Matt Lyall (Richmond Hill) whacked in the equalizer on assists from J.T. Macdonald (Niagara Falls) and Tim Priamo (Guelph).  With just under four minutes left Jeff Desjardins scored the go ahead goal for the Patriotes.  However, with just over a minute left in regulation and the Gryphons goalie on the bench Gale scored his second of the game to send the affair to overtime.

The overtime was scoreless but featured a frantic pace and plenty of shots with the Gryphons holding the upper hand 5-4.

Finally in the shootout Charland of the Patriotes scored the winner to cap off a very entertaining game.

The Gryphons outshot the Patriotes 37-27 with Andrew Loverock going the distance for Guelph and Chris Blanchard going all the way for U.Q.T.R.

The road trip continues Sat. night for the Gryphons when they travel to Montreal to play the McGill Redmen @ 7 P.M.