The Guelph Gryphon men's hockey team hosted the York Lions this evening (Jan.5) at the Gryphons Centre but lost a disappointing game, 6-2.
 
With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 4-10-4, while the Lions advance to 8-7-3 in the OUA West standings.
 
The Lions opened the scoring early in the first period with a pair of goals just minutes apart, from Jesse Messier (Keswick, ON) and Tyler McGee (Timmins, ON).
 
Mid-way through the period, Zack Lillie (Bracebridge, ON) would reply with a solid goal with help from Kris Belan (Florence, ON) and Cameron Odam (Stittsville, ON), to cut the lead to 2-1. 
 
Looking to tie up the game, the Gryphons applied pressure in the offensive zone and were rewarded with a game-tying goal. Ed Gale (Keswick, ON) buried a centered pass from Lillie, set up by Belan, in the back of the Lions net. Gryphon netminder, Cody St.Jacques (Iroqois Falls, ON) made several big saves to end a gritty first period.
 
With the game tied up at two a piece going into the second period, the home crowd began to heat up. Unfortunately, the Lions came out eager take back the lead and found the back of the Gryphon net for the third time, putting the Lions ahead, 3-2.
 
The Gryphons saw many opportunities to cut the Lions lead, but could not seem to beat the Lions goal keep, Andrew Perugini (King City, ON). The Gryphons trailed the Lions 3-2 after two periods, but outshot their opponents 30-21.
 
The Gryphons struggled to maintain their composure on the ice during the third period, which led to three unanswered goals by the Lions from Jordan Forfar (Sutton, ON), McGee and Messier. Guelph had plenty of scoring attempts but their continued misfires led to numerous turnovers. St. Jacques began to struggle between the pipes due to a lack of defensive support, and the Gryphons would drop a disappointing game 6-2 to the Lions.
 
The Gryphons will travel to Windsor to take on the Lancers Saturday, January 7, 2012. The puck drops at 2:00p.m.