Jan. 28: Guelph 2 – Lakehead 1 GUELPH- Tonight (Jan. 28) the Guelph Gryphons and Lakehead Thunderwolves faced-off for the first of two games this weekend. While the score remained fairly low, the action was intense from these two, offensive powerhouses. Ultimately though, it would be the Gryphons' early lead that would keep them on top the whole game and seal the 2-1 victory over the Thunderwolves.
The points were evenly spread for the Gryphons, with Justin Gvora (Thunder Bay, Ont.) and Alex Magera (Edmonton, Alta.) potting the goals, while Ken Peroff (North Bay, Ont.), Ed Gale (Keswick, Ont.), Patrick Campbell (Sauble Beach, Ont.), and Geoff Guimond (Mississauga, Ont.) tallied assists.
Adam Sergeri (Thunder Bay, Ont.) would score the lone goal for the Thunderwolves, with Brock McPherson (Brampton, Ont.) and Ryan McDonald (Prince Albert, Sask.) picking up the helpers.
Andrew Loverock was given the nod for the Gryphons this evening and had a solid performance, making 29 saves on 30 shots and picking up the win.
His counterpart, Alex Dupuis (Thunder Bay, Ont.) started for Lakehead and also had a good night, stopping 27 of 29 shots.
With the win, Guelph evens their record at 10-10-2, while Lakehead takes their fourth loss in five games, moving to 14-7-1.
Playing a high caliber tem like the Thunderwolves, the Gryphons needed to get on top quick to put on the pressure, and that's exactly what they did. Just under six minutes into the first period, the Gryphons got on the board with a goal from Gvora. With time running out on the powerplay, Peroff wound up at the point and sent a blistering shot on net. The puck was redirected in front and, going just outside the left post of Dupuis, ricocheted off the end boards. Luckily for the Gryphons, Gvora had wedged himself between the side of the net and his closest defender and taking the bounce of the boards chipped the puck up and over the back of Dupuis. The goal gave the Gryphons a 1-0 lead, which they would maintain for the remainder of the frame.
The Gryphons came out in the second period firing on all cylinders, jumping up 2-0 with three minutes gone in the frame. Breaking in 3-on-2, Gvora, coming down the sideboards, dropped the puck to Campbell streaking down the middle of the ice. Campbell wired a hard shot from the top of the zone and the juicy rebound popped out to the left side of Dupuis. Magera, who was the third man in for the Gryphons, went hard to the net and jumped on the loose puck. Hacking at it with all he could, Magera sent the puck whirling into the back of the net, putting the Gryphons up 2-0.
The remainder of the period was a back and forth affair, with the Thunderwolves picking up their pace and testing Loverock. With both teams taking a number of penalties, there were plenty of chances with the man-advantage, but neither team would capitalize on the opportunity. The Gryphons would hold their two-goal lead going into the third period.
Lakehead finally managed to get their offense fired up in the third, dominating much of the first half of the period and narrowing the Gryphon lead to a single goal. Controlling the puck deep in the Guelph zone, the Thunderwolves set up a quick one-timer in front. Diving back across the open net, Loverock made a beautiful save, getting the tip of his glove on the puck to keep it out. Unfortunately for Loverock, his efforts would be all for not, as Lakehead's Sergerie would bang home the loose puck, making it 2-1 Guelph.
Lakehead kept the pressure on, but Guelph fought hard to maintain their lead. With just seconds left in the game, the Thunderwolves, with an extra attacker and an empty net, managed to set up once last effort in the Gryphon zone and rung a quick shot off the crossbar. With the puck floating into the corner time would expire, leaving the Gryphons with the 2-1 victory.
Tomorrow night (Jan. 29), the Gryphons and Thunderwolves will go head-to-head once again, for the second game of their weekend-series. The puck will drop at 7:30pm in the Gryphon Centre.
- Source: Jacob Cassidy -
GAME SUMMARY
Lakehead 1 at Guelph 2
Friday, January 28, 2011 - Gryphon Centre Arena
Lakehead 0 0 1 - 1
Guelph 1 1 0 - 2
1st Period-1, Guelph, Gvora 3 (Gale, Peroff), 5:54. Penalties-Quesnele Lkhd (cross checking), 3:48; Lillie Gue (kneeing), 9:29; Quesnele Lkhd (boarding), 10:44; Maunu Lkhd (cross checking), 14:29; Gale Gue (tripping), 16:46.
2nd Period-2, Guelph, Magera 3 (Guimond, Campbell), 3:11. Penalties-Welsh Lkhd (cross checking), 3:59; Guimond Gue (interference), 5:39; Martine Gue (roughing), 5:39; Merrett Gue (interference), 9:35; Wilkins Lkhd (boarding), 13:44; Macdonald Gue (inter. on goaltender), 15:41.
3rd Period-3, Lakehead, Sergerie 10 (McPherson, McDonald), 2:58. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Lakehead 6-9-15-30. Guelph 9-11-9-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Lakehead 0 / 6; Guelph 0 / 5.
Goalies-Lakehead, Dupuis 9-6-0 (29 shots-27 saves). Guelph, Loverock 3-6-0 (30 shots-29 saves).
