GUELPH, ON - The upcoming OUA playoffs represent a new beginning. But before that happens, the Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team enjoyed a night of closure. They put a bow on the 2015-16 regular season, while also recognizing some veterans playing in their final home game of the league schedule. That group filled the scoresheet and went out on a high as Guelph overwhelmed the Toronto Varsity Blues in a 6-1 win on Senior Night at Gryphon Centre Arena Thursday evening.

Captain Nick Trecapelli, Carlos Amestoy, Kyle Neuber, Brett Appio, Mac Nichol and goalie Chris McDougall were all honoured for their final regular season game in a Guelph jersey, as was Andrew D'Agostini. The star goaltender is just in his second year but is expected to pursue a professional career on the ice, meaning D'Agostini's time in between the pipes for the program will come to an end at the conclusion of the post season.

The seven Gryphons, many of whom played a central role in the game, were introduced at centre ice prior to the opening face off to accept jerseys and framed pictures. They gave a final emotional salute after to the crowd at the end of the night.

For Trecapelli, it was a privilege to attend university in his hometown, represent the city after years away in the OHL and ultimately win a championship in 2015.

"It was a special night for sure," the captain said, reminiscing on a prolific OUA career. "It's a little sad but we know we have the playoffs coming up."

"It was an important night to honour the seniors and carry some momentum into the playoffs," said Nichol, who had a big game with a goal and two assists. "A lot of guys had great careers. Trec, Appio, Doogie, they battled. They were great players here -- and great people."

Stephen Hiff, Tryg Strand, Robert Lepine, Rob De Fulviis (two points) and Lenny Fabbri also scored for Guelph (16-11-1). Trecapelli, Neuber and Amestoy contributed two assists each. All five outgoing skaters registered at least a point as Appio also added a helper.

D'Agostini made 19 saves in his final regular season appearance. The Scarborough native made his best stop of the night with about seven minutes left in the second and Guelph up 2-1. Toronto broke in on an odd-man rush and D'Agostini cooly slid to his left to deny a quick, high shot from Patrick Marsh.

It proved to be a huge save. A few minutes later, Nichol would cap his regular season career with a timely goal at the 16:32 mark, giving the Gryphons a 3-1 lead. Lepine scored just 23 seconds into the final period to put Guelph in a commanding position for the final 20 minutes. De Fulviis then added a power-play goal at 4:43 of the third and Fabbri tallied minutes later at 8:07.

Despite a lopsided final score, the Gryphons had a nightmare start. Neuber took a penalty for checking from behind and a subsequent 10-minute misconduct 44 seconds after the opening face off. Toronto cashed in on the power play just 17 seconds later when Connor Cleverley beat D'Agostini after a few Blues chances down low.

That was the extent of Toronto's dominance. Guelph responded quickly, a welcome sign after coughing up the early lead. Hiff, a rookie centre from Cambridge, stormed through the slot and buried a hard one-timer past Michael Nishi at 3:39 of the first.

The Gryphons went up 2-1 late in the period. While killing a penalty, Guelph jumped out a two-on-one and Strand buried a perfect feed from Simmonds with 53 seconds left in the first.

"It was a slow start but we picked it up," said Trecapelli. "We shot the puck well tonight. And the power play was good."

"We have to keep playing the way we played in the last two periods and keep up the good habits," said Nichol.

Guelph entered the night third in the OUA West and will finish no lower than fourth, meaning the Gryphons will host a first-round playoff game next week. The fourth-place Waterloo Warriors would need to win both of their weekend games at Brock and Western to take over third. If they do win those games, Guelph and Waterloo would finish the regular season with 16-11-1 records and 33 points, though the Warriors would take third on head-to-head point differential, which they win 3-2.

"We had our eye on third or fourth so we could have home ice in the playoffs," said Trecapelli. "With the big ice here, we feel we have an advantage."

NOTES:

- Hiff's goal was his 5th of the season and 11th point. Appio and Thomas Kohler assisted on the goal
- Trecapelli picked up assists on Strand's shorthanded effort and Nichol's goal. The helpers put the captain on top of the team lead in both assists (18) and points (23)
- Guelph outshot Toronto 41-20