Box Score
Guelph, Ont. – Despite outshooting Nipissing 47-29, the Gryphons were on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line Friday night at the Gryphon Centre.  With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 3-6-2 while the Nipissing Lakers improve to 7-4-1.
 
Nipissing's fourth year goalie Kirk Rafuse (Kentville, NS) was a busy man on Friday night, turning away 46 of the 47 shots sent his way.
The Lakers had an early lead to work with after Craig Campbell (Strathroy, Ont.) opened the scoring just over four minutes into the game when his backhander went off the crossbar and in.  The Lakers' lead was kept at just one goal thanks to some big saves from Gryphon goalie Keith Hamilton (Kelowna, B.C.).  A nice kick save during a penalty kill, followed by a big stop on a Nipissing 2-on-1 were a few of the highlights for Hamilton in what was an impressive night for the second year man.
 
But the spotlight on this night belonged to Nipissing goalie Kirk Rafuse.  Despite outshooting the Lakers 18-7 in the second period, the Gryphons were unable to find a way past Rafuse.  His best save of the period came on MacKenzie Nichol (Listowel, Ont.) who had picked the top corner before Rafuse flashed the leather to keep it out. 
 
With the score still 1-0 Nipissing in the 3^rd period, the Gryphons would finally find the back of the net.  Jordan Mock (Dartmouth, NS) carried the puck into the Lakers zone with some good speed before throwing it towards the net.  Andres Kopstals (Toronto, Ont.) was able to jam it home to tie it at 1-1.  Unfortunately for the Gryphons, it would not stay that way for long.  Just 34 seconds later, the Lakers would re-take the lead as Dale Deon (Georgetown, Ont.) would beat Hamilton for what would prove to be the game-winner.
 
The Gryphons now have a quick turnaround as they will host Laurentian Saturday afternoon at 3pm at the Gryphon Centre.