GUELPH, ON - The Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team knows that effort produces points. The Gryphons were far from their best in the second game of a back-to-back with Lakehead and despite a dramatic late power-play equalizer from captain Nick Trecapelli, Kelin Ainsworth's goal at 2:50 of overtime gave the Thunderwolves a 2-1 win Saturday at Gryphon Centre Arena.

The Gryphons looked flat for much of the game and appeared done after Carson Dubchak got loose down low and gave the Thunderwolves a 1-0 lead at 10:25 of the third period. But Guelph was energized on a late power play and with goaltender Scott Stajcer pulled to put the hosts on a 6-on-4, Trecapelli went hard to the net and buried a rebound behind Devin Street with just 21 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 1-1.

"We worked very hard late in the game to salvage a critical point," said head coach Shawn Camp, who sat some regulars but felt he had plenty of bodies available.

But the single point was all that Guelph could manufacture as Ainsworth beat Stajcer just as the Gryphons finished killing off a frustrating minor for too many men on the ice.

It was a long week for the hosts as they tried to put a miserable January behind them. Guelph won just three times in eight outings last month and they had a chance to replicate that win total in the first week of February alone. The Gryphons (15-11-1) entered the game clicking offensively after a 5-1 win over Laurier Tuesday and a 6-2 victory against Lakehead in the first of the two meetings Friday. But the goals were harder to come by Saturday.

"We have to manage our success," said Camp. "We had two good wins and we have to make sure we consistently have that kind of effort. We have been out-working other teams and that's why we've been successful."

"We looked a little sluggish," said third-year forward Rob De Fulviis. "The playoffs are coming up and we can't play like that or we'll get bounced early."

Stajcer, making his fifth appearance of the season in the Guelph net, was arguably the best Gryphon on the night, stopping 32 of 34 shots faced. The 6'3", second-year goalie from Cambridge was especially good in the first period when the Gryphons were called for a string of undisciplined penalties. Stajcer also took a hard shot off the mask in the first period but didn't look troubled.

"Scott had an excellent game," said Camp. "He definitely gave us a chance to win."

Green made 36 saves for the Thunderwolves and flashed his quick glove a couple times late when Guelph was pushing for the equalizer.

Lakehead (7-15-4) was the more active team in the second period. The Thunderwolves attacked with speed when given the opportunity and forced Stajcer into a series of stops, while the Gryphons couldn't replicate the offensive output they produced earlier in the week.

Guelph created most of the early chances, the best coming on a hard wrister from Trevor Morbeck in the right circle that rang off the crossbar and just missed the top left corner about two minutes into the game. But the Gryphons got called for three straight minors and had to put their penalty killers to work, allowing Lakehead to get some offensive rhythm after a slow start.

"We took some penalties because we weren't moving our feet," said Camp. "But our penalty kill was excellent."

NOTES:
- Kyle Neuber and Robert Lepine picked up assists on Trecapelli's goal...
- Guelph outshot Lakehead 37-34...
- The Gryphons wrap up OUA regular season play next Thursday, Feb. 11 when they host the University of Toronto. Game time is 7:30 pm.