GUELPH - The Guelph Gryphons hosted the Laurier Golden Hawks for the 3rd Annual "Frosty Mug" game at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph this evening.  With over a thousand fans filling the stands, the Gryphons came out strong and never let up, claiming a well-deserved 3-2 win in regulation.

Scorers for the Gryphons included James Merrett (Vernon, Ont.), who potted the first of the game, Ed Gale (Keswick, Ont.) and Thomas Kiriakou (Richmond Hill, Ont.), whose goal would end up as the game-winner.  Gryphon captain, Kris Belan (Florence, Ont.) chipped in two assists on the night, while Tim Priamo (Guelph, Ont.) and Justin Gvora (Thunder Bay, Ont.) each had one of their own.

Scott Van Bommel (Norwich, Ont.) was given his second start of the season for the Gryphons and stood on his head to keep the Gryphon lead throughout the game.  Van Bommel finished with 30 saves on 32 shots and picked up the win.

Kain Allicock (Markham, Ont.) and Ryan Bellows (St. Catharines, Ont.) would pick up the two, Laurier goals, while Phil Magistrale (Tsawwassen, B.C.), Jean-Michel Rizk (Dunham, Ont.) and Ben Skinner (Markham, Ont.) each tallied an assist.

Ryan Daniels (Pickering, Ont.) would get the start for Laurier, but would only make it through two periods saving 19 of 22 shots.  David Clement was put between the pipes for the remainder of the game stopping all 8 shots he faced.

Van Bommel looked solid from the get-go, making 16 saves in the first frame, including a 2-on-0 chance that had the Gryphon netminder sprawled out across his net, making a lightening quick adjustment to keep the puck from getting past him.  Van Bommel also stared down a breakaway late in the period, staying cool and closing the five-hole to rob the Laurier forward.

The first goal of the game would come just moments later at 17:47, following a Laurier turnover.  Picking up the loose puck just outside the Laurier zone, Belan skated in and spotted Merrett drifting through the middle of the ice.  Receiving the feed from Belan, Merrett wasted no time and snapped a quick shot over the glove of Daniels and into the top corner of the net.  The Gryphons would hold the 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.

Gryphon Defenseman, Pat Campbell (Sauble Beach, Ont.), was a force for Guelph in the first period, welcoming the visitors by getting a few of them airborne and leaving them on the ice wondering what hit them.

The Gryphons would build on their lead minutes into the second period on a powerplay goal from Gale.  Looking very similar to the first goal, Belan picked up a loose puck in the Laurier zone that had been chipped free by Priamo.  Finding Gale open between the faceoff circles, Belan slipped the puck across and Gale wired a shot into the back of the net on the blocker-side of Daniels.

Midway through the second, the Gryphons would add even more insurance to their lead.  With control of the puck along sideboards to Daniels's right side, Kiriakou wound up and blistered a shot at Daniels.  Daniels got a piece of the puck, kicking out his left pad, but it wouldn't be enough, as the rubber skipped of the top of his pad and ruffled the mesh in behind.  The goal gave the Gryphons a 3-0 lead that they would take into the final frame.

Laurier appeared to be recharged heading into the third period, putting the pressure on deep in the Gryphon zone and with 6:49 gone in the frame, the Golden Hawks would narrow the gap to 3-1.  Just a few strides over the blue line, Allicock threw a hard saucer on net and caught Van Bommel off-guard.  The wrist shot would ring off the bottom of the crossbar over Van Bommel's left shoulder and tumble down the back of the net.

Laurier inched their way even closer to the Gryphons with just under two minutes remaining in the game.  Sending it across the front of the net, Bellows would find the puck on the tape of his stick with Van Bommel out of position.  Assuring the Gryphon goaltender would have no chance to make the save, Bellows flipped the puck into the top of the net to put his team within a goal of the Gryphons.

Following a large scrum late in the period, the Gryphons found themselves in a tough position, playing 6-on-4 in the dying minutes of the game.  Down a man due to a penalty and with the Laurier goalie pulled, the Gryphons battled to maintain their one-goal lead, blocking several shots and grinding along the boards to keep the Golden Hawks at bay.  The efforts of the entire Gryphon squad would pay off, as one final clearing attempt would leave less than sufficient time for Laurier to score their much-needed goal.  The Gryphons walked away with the 3-2 victory, saluting the 1093 dedicated fans who showed their support at the Sleeman Centre.

The Gryphons are on the road tomorrow night (Jan. 22) where they will face-off against the York Lions in Toronto. The puck drops at 7:00pm.

Written By: Jacob Cassidy

GAME SUMMARY

Laurier 2 at Guelph 3 - Status: Final
Friday, January 21, 2011 - Sleeman Centre

 Laurier 0 0 2 - 2
Guelph 1 2 0 - 3

1st Period-1, Guelph, Merrett 4 (Belan), 17:47. Penalties-Pawlowski Gue (hooking), 5:24; Peroff Gue (holding opp. stick), 10:27; Marsden Wlu (roughing), 19:05; Peroff Gue (holding), 20:00.

2nd Period-2, Guelph, Gale 7 (Priamo, Belan), 3:58 (PP). 3, Guelph, Kiriakou 10 (Gvora), 12:17. Penalties-Allicock Wlu (checking to the head, 10-minute misconduct), 2:59; Bonneville Wlu (roughing), 4:04; Jefferies Gue (hooking, roughing), 4:04; McInerney Gue (checking from behind, 10-minute misconduct), 6:56; Middup Wlu (tripping), 7:30; Merrett Gue (slashing), 11:03; Guimond Gue (cross checking), 15:37; Priamo Gue (roughing), 18:18; Bernardi Wlu (high sticking, 10-minute misconduct), 19:11; Magistrale Wlu (high sticking), 19:11; Brook Gue (slashing), 19:11; Gale Gue (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:11.

3rd Period-4, Laurier, Allicock 5 (Magistrale), 6:49. 5, Laurier, Bellows 10 (Rizk, Skinner), 18:04. Penalties-Van De Bospoort Wlu (high sticking, high sticking), 1:11; Lillie Gue (slashing), 2:23; Campbell Gue (high sticking, high sticking), 9:34; Priamo Gue (interference), 14:15; Bernardi Wlu (tripping), 15:32; Allicock Wlu (roughing, roughing), 17:44; Belan Gue (major-checking to the head, match penalty), 17:44; Gale Gue (roughing, roughing), 17:44.

Shots on Goal-Laurier 16-7-9-32. Guelph 11-11-8-30.

Power Play Opportunities-Laurier 0 / 12; Guelph 1 / 6.

Goalies-Laurier, Daniels 12-10-0 (22 shots-19 saves); Clement 0-0-0 (8 shots-8 saves)
Guelph, VanBommel 0-1-0 (32 shots-30 saves).