On Saturday night the Gryphons defeated the Warriors 2-1 on the road. In a penalty filled affair, the two teams battled back and forth with the Gryphons scoring the game winning goal late in the second period, short-handed.

In the first period, the Warriors' took three consecutive penalties, and as time expired on the final whistle, Guelph forward Kris Belan (Florence, Ont.) drew Warriors netminder Keaton Hartigan to his left with the puck while managing to squeeze the puck past a sea of legs to the wide open Thomas Kiriakou (Richmond Hill, Ont.) who sent the Gryphons into the dressing room up by one.

 

The Warriors' forechecking paid off midway through the period. While chasing the puck into the corner, Gryphon defenseman Mark Pawlowski tripped and coughed up the puck to Veysey who threw a perfect pass out in front to Josh Schappert (Winnipeg, Man.) who made no mistake on the one-timer to tie the game at one.

 

With just two minutes left in the period, the Warriors were unable to capitalize on yet another power play. A clearing attempt by the Gryphon forward managed to find Guelph forward Edward Gale (Keswick, Ont.) who had just stepped out of the box.  Gale was sprung free on a breakaway with his initial shot stopped by Warrior netminder Keaton Hartigan (Kitchener) but picked up his own rebound to give Gryphons the lead 2-1 heading into the third period.

 

The third period saw Guelph execute their game plan to perfection. They clogged the blue line preventing the Warriors from gaining the zone time and time again. The Warriors were unable to solve the neutral-zone trap and opened 2011 with a tough 2-1 loss to the visiting Gryphons.

 

In net, Hartigan finished with 36 saves, while Andrew Loverock (Elmvale, Ont.) made 24 on the night.

 

http://www.leaguestat.com/oua/men/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=21512