Starting to build a bit of a streak, the Guelph Gryphons came into tonight's game (Feb. 5) against the Laurier Golden Hawks with the hope to extend their winning streak to four-straight games. While it was the Golden Hawks who initiated the scoring in the first period, it would be the Gryphons who finished on top 4-2. Ed Gale (Keswick, Ont.) led the Gryphons tonight with an empty-net goal and three assists.  Helping out on the offensive, Zach Lillie (Bracebridge, Ont.) and Ken Peroff (North Bay, Ont.) each contributed a goal and an assist on the score sheet.

It would be James Marsden (Exeter, Ont.) and Alexander Poulter (Broomfield, Co.) who would come through for the Golden Hawks, each pocketing a goal on the night.

Andrew Loverock (Elmvale, Ont.) made the start for the Gryphons and stood tall, stopping 22 of 24 shots for his fourth win in as many starts.

Ryan Daniels was between the pipes for Laurier and put forth a valiant effort making 31 saves, but was saddled with the loss.

The Gryphons move to 14-10-2 with the victory, while Laurier drops to 14-7-5.

Loverock was tested early in the first period and looked sharp for the Gryphons.  Stoning a Laurier forward on a shallow breakaway, Loverock ended up sprawled on his stomach, but didn't stop his magic there, proceeding to make saves from this awkward position on two extra efforts from the Golden Hawks.  Of course, the excited Gryphon fans responded accordingly, with cowbells ratling.

Despite the efforts of Loverock throughout the frame, it would be the Golden Hawks who got on the board first at 15:58 in the period.  Out-muscling the Gryphon defense in the corner, Laurier managed to pull the puck free and get a shot on net.  While the initial play was unsuccessful, Poulter was sitting on the doorstep and banged the loose puck into the back of the net.

It would take Guelph almost two periods before getting on the score sheet, but when they did they made it count.  With just 20 seconds separating goals, the Gryphons managed to catch the Golden Hawks and take the lead in the later part of the second period.

The Gryphons would get started when Zach Lillie stepped over the Laurier blue line and wired a wrist shot over the far shoulder of Daniels, evening the score at one.  Before the Golden Hawks had time to contemplate the first goal, the Gryphons were back in their zone ready to do more damage.

Lillie, now looking to share the wealth, fed Ed Gale in the neutral zone, providing a lane to the net.  Gale, who assisted the first goal, fired the puck on net hard and while his shot was be turned down by Daniels, it was too much to absorb and the puck was left on the ice in front of the Laurier netminder.  J.T. MacDonald, making use of his unmatchable speed, hustled to the net before Daniels could react and shoveled the puck top-shelf from in close.  The Gryphons would enjoy their first lead of the game going into the second intermission.

Both teams would find themselves in penalty trouble in third period, but surprisingly it would be the short-handed Golden Hawks who would find the back of the net first.  Midway through the frame Laurier forward, James Marsden, hammered the puck on net from the sideboards and the howitzer passed through Loverock, tying the game at two apiece.

Just a few minutes later, while on another powerplay, the Gryphons made a strong, offensive surge into the Laurier end.  Gale, crossing the blue line, spun and dropped the puck for a trailing Ken Peroff, who would finish the play in style.  Slowing down and using a shoulder fake, Peroff forced Daniels to make a move and the goaltender ended up on his knees outside the crease.  Peroff continued on his path and dangled the puck around Daniels, tucking it neatly on the other side of the goal line to restore the lead, 3-2.

The Gryphons spent the rest of the period fighting off the Golden Hawks, who were relentless in their attempts to knot the game once again.  Fortunately for Guelph, their hard work paid off and Gale put an end to the fight with an empty-net goal as the final seconds ticked down, resulting in a 4-2 victory for the Gryphons.

The Gryphons will finish their regular season on the road next weekend, visiting the York Lions on Friday (Feb. 11), and taking on the Western Mustangs on Saturday (Feb. 12). Stay tuned to gryphons.ca for post-season details.

 

Written By: Jacob Cassidy

BOX SCORE:
Laurier 2 at Guelph 4 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 5, 2011 - Gryphon Centre Arena

Laurier 1 0 1 - 2
Guelph 0 2 2 - 4

1st Period-1, Laurier, Poulter 4 (Good, Allicock), 15:58. Penalties-Allicock Wlu (tripping), 1:00; Good Wlu (high sticking), 4:50; Lillie Gue (cross checking), 4:50.

2nd Period-2, Guelph, Lillie 6 (Gale), 16:25. 3, Guelph, Macdonald 7 (Gale, Lillie), 16:45. Penalties-Bonneville Wlu (high sticking), 0:58; Williams Wlu (tripping), 1:53; Belan Gue (holding), 8:35; Skinner Wlu (high sticking), 9:34; Lyall Gue (hooking), 17:06.

3rd Period-4, Laurier, Marsden 1 (Shepley), 9:38 (SH). 5, Guelph, Peroff 1 (Gale), 11:41 (PP). 6, Guelph, Gale 8 (Merrett, Peroff), 19:58 (EN). Penalties-Brook Gue (roughing), 1:51; Kusy Gue (checking to the head, 10-minute misconduct), 7:02; Good Wlu (cross checking), 7:44; Allicock Wlu (checking from behind, 10-minute misconduct), 10:52; Brook Gue (tripping), 17:00.

Shots on Goal-Laurier 8-8-8-24. Guelph 8-17-10-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Laurier 0 / 5; Guelph 1 / 6.
Goalies-Laurier, Daniels 14-12-0 (34 shots-31 saves). Guelph, Loverock 7-6-0 (24 shots-22 saves).