GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphon women's hockey team defeated the Western Mustangs 4-0 this afternoon at the Gryphon Centre. It was a great team effort today for the Gryphons with all lines contributing in some capacity.  

The Gryphons advance to 13-5-2 on the season while the Mustangs drop to 4-14-1.

 

After a disappointing loss yesterday to the Windsor Lancers, the Gryphons came out really strong in the first period today outshooting the Mustangs 16-6.  Guelph scored first two minutes into the contest when Jenna Lanzarotta beat her man out from the corner to the net - drove across the crease and out-waited the Western goaltender to slide a puck in on the far side.  Assists went to Dayna Kanis and Katie Mora. The Gryphons went up 2-0 after Erin Small scored a rocket from in tight over Ulrich's glove.  Dayna Kanis was credited her second assist and Lucia Mazza her first on the goal.  The Gryphons were also strong on the defensive end, successfully killing off two penalties in the first period.

 

The second period was played much like the first with the Gryphons controlling the tempo and pace.  The period finished with Guelph outshooting Western 14-3.  At the 10 minute mark Jenna Lanzarotta scored her second goal of the game on a drive to the net - all three linemates were there to jam it home and eventually Jenna put it in.  Assists went to Jody Hodgins and Jackie Sollis. The fourth goal was textbook as Tamara Bell fed a puck from behind the net to Jessica Zerafa in front who slid a pass across the crease to a waiting Tori Woods.

 

Despite a scoreless third period the Gryphons outshot Western 7-3, playing a little more conservatively and disciplined. In the end, the Gryphons went a perfect 3-0 on the penalty kill, but 0-5 on the powerplay.

 

Danielle Skoufranis earned the shutout, turning away 12 shots while Western goaltender Jessica Ulrich took the loss and made 33 saves.

 

Guelph will hit the road next week to play the Brock Badgers on Friday (Jan. 21) in St. Catharine's.  Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.