GUELPH, ON - A complete team effort Friday night propelled the Gryphons men's hockey team to a resounding 6-2 win over the visiting Lakehead Thunderwolves. With the win, the Gryphons improvce to 15-11-0 while Lakehead falls to 6-15-4. Six different Gryphons registered multi-point nights, highlighted by Carlos Amestoy who picked up three assists in the game.

Second year forward Scott Simmonds was one of those six players to record a multi-point night. Early in the second period, Simmonds picked up his second point by scoring an absolute beauty of a goal to put the Gryphons up 3-1. After taking a pass from Cody Thompson just inside the blue line, Simmonds turned the Lakehead defender inside-out with a toe drag before firing the puck top shelf short side for his fourth goal of the season.

Third year forward Rob De Fulviis celebrated his 24th birthday by picking up a pair of assists, but not everybody was in a celebratory mood Friday night at the Gryphon Centre. Things got heated just over a month ago when these two teams met up for a pair of exhibition games over the Christmas break in North Bay. That bad blood seemed to carry over into Friday's contest and in the first period alone, Lakehead was penalized for a check-to-the-head, as well as a double minor for spearing. The Gryphons were able to capitalize on that early man advantage, as Captain Nick Trecapelli's power play goal gave the Gryphons a 2-1 lead after one period of play. 

The Gryphons would break things open in the second period, outscoring Lakehead 3-0 in that frame. The highlight reel goal by Simmonds in that second period was followed by a pair of goals from Robert Lepine, who now has three goals in his last two games after having also scored against Laurier Tuesday night. Gryphons second year centre Andres Kopstals capped the scoring in the third period and also extended his own goal scoring streak to two games after having found the back of the net against the Golden Hawks as well.

Rookie sensation Dylan Gilbert notched his team-leading 12th goal of the season for the Gryphons, who will turn right back around and do it all over again with the

Rob Massey honoured pre-game after having covered Gryphon sports for over 30 years Thunderwolves on Saturday night. Puck drop for the second game of this back-to-back showdown is set for 7:30pm. 

The Gryphons currently sit 3rd in a log-jammed OUA West division with just two games remaining on their regular season schedule.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Prior to the game, Rob Massey was honoured by the Gryphons and performed the ceremonial puck drop. Massey spent over 30 years covering Gryphon sports prior to last week's announcement that the Guelph Mercury would no longer print newspapers after 149 years of publications. The Gryphons would like to thank Rob and all of the staff at the Mercury for all of their hard work in helping support and promote Gryphon Athletics over the years!