Gryphons Sit One Win Away from First OUA Title Since 1998

GUELPH, ON – There has been one message in the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team dressing room that has superseded all others in the 2015-16 OUA season – trust the process. It's been the foundation for the number one team in the country, and for good reason. It simply means rely on your hard work, believe in your fellow teammates and most importantly, don't get ahead of yourself. One period at a time, one shift at a time. That mantra has carried the Gryphons throughout a memorable year, one they hope culminates in a championship banner when they meet the defending OUA and CIS champion Western Mustangs in a McCaw Cup rematch this Saturday (March 12) at Gryphon Centre Arena.

Guelph head coach Rachel Flanagan was reminded of the message recently. The Gryphons have already earned a berth at the CIS Women's Hockey Championship in Calgary next week. But when Flanagan referred to the impending trip out West, the players quickly shut down that talk.
 

"It's easier this time around," said Flanagan. "Last year, it was tougher with our first berth in nationals (in 15 years). Everyone was really excited to go to Calgary. This year, we've got a pretty veteran group and there's a lot less of that. I mentioned something about Calgary to them and they jumped all over me. Their focus is 100 per cent on this weekend."
 

Guelph enters their third meeting of the season with Western as a battle-tested group. While the Mustangs needed a triple overtime goal on Sunday night to advance to the McCaw Cup, the Gryphons have had their own obstacles to overcome. They went the distance in three tough games with the Laurentian Voyageurs in the OUA Quarter-Finals, which included a 3-2 loss in Game 2 on home ice, Guelph's first defeat since losing a 3-2 nail biter to Western back on November 28. They survived and proceeded to win two straight one-goal games over perennial contender Laurier, the deciding victory coming on an overtime goal from second-year winger Kaitlin Lowy.
 

The playoffs are always a test but the No. 1-ranked Gryphons have taken a little criticism in OUA hockey circles. Some have called the team lucky. "I think the loss against Laurentian kind of made people think we were weren't as good as our ranking," said co-captain Leigh Shilton. "Obviously there is going to be added expectation and pressure and we understand that and we've done a lot to mentally prepare for that. We may be ranked first but I feel like there are some teams and people who underestimate what we can accomplish."
 

Flanagan said they had tremendous respect for both the Voyageurs and particularly the Golden Hawks, who had made 22 straight Semi-Final appearances. To get past them was humbling. And the manner in which the Gryphons have been advancing is a source of pride for the coach. "We've had to have a lot of character and grit and a real team effort," said Flanagan. "It hasn't been our typical top players that have carried us through this. Obviously, they've picked up points along the way but we've had really big goals from our third and fourth line players to carry us through.
 

"We haven't scored the first goal yet," she added. "We've been down every game and have had to come back. I think a lot of coaches might be nervous about that but in the end, it's been really good for us. Most of the year, we've been ahead, we would get up a goal but now we're learning to play down a goal and the desperation that it takes in big games like this. For us, it shows a lot of character and it's really been a team effort to find a way through these playoffs."
 

While Guelph is getting familiar in the art of the comeback, Flanagan would prefer to avoid that script against Western. The Gryphons opened up the OUA season with an impressive 3-0 home win over the Mustangs back on October 3 before dropping the 3-2 decision in late November on the road in London. Flanagan and her players understand that they are playing a championship team. It's motivation for them – and incentive to get off to a faster start than they have in previous playoff games, knowing a win would also avenge last year's 2-0 loss in the McCaw Cup.
 

"We have to be tough in front of Val (goalie Valerie Lamenta)," said Flanagan. "We have to take care of that area first and build from there and take our opportunities when they come offensively. They've got a very good goaltender (Kelly Campbell) and we've got to find a way to get pucks through to her and be strong in front of their net, as well. Just like all of the series in the playoffs so far, the games are won in front of the net, defensively and offensively."
 

"We have quite the history with Western especially last year losing to them in the finals," Shilton added, noting the significance of the rivalry. "They have talented players we need to shut down but I think it'll all come down to who wants it more. We're both very talented teams and I think it'll be the team that works the hardest that will come our on top."


Guelph has been in that mode, grinding out wins because of desire. Lowy's overtime winner in Waterloo last week came after Katherine Bailey had notched a third-period equalizer. In the previous game, it was Christine Grant who tied the game up 1-1, setting the stage for Mackenzie Wong's winner, also coming in the third period. There have been different heroes, though Grant (3-3-6) and co-captain Jessica Pinkerton (2-4-6) have paced the team in playoff scoring. Flanagan said the nice thing is having the luxury to roll four lines and know every player can get the job done.
 

The back end is in good hands, too. Shilton, Bailey and Jessica Pellegrino lead the group of blueliners. And Lamenta has been a rock in between the pipes since taking over for Stephanie Nehring earlier in the year. "Our goaltending has been outstanding," said the coach. "Steph's passed the torch on to Val with such humbleness and great mentoring. There's an unbelievable relationship between those two, which has really helped our success. We know that if anything were to happen, we've probably got the the best goaltending tandem in the country." 
 

For Shilton and her teammates, the 2015/16 season has been one they will always remember. They have grown into a tight-knit group, buying into roles, embracing the system and as Flanagan preaches, trusting the process. 

"We understand that everything we've done, workouts, ice baths, early morning practices, that will get us the desired outcome but right now it's focusing on the process and knowing we've done all we can do to prepare," said Shilton. "Winning an OUA championship on home ice would be an incredible experience and a once in a lifetime kind of thing. It would be great for the University of Guelph hockey and amazing for the younger players knowing that they can accomplish something so big by working hard for it. It would be an experience we would never forget. I believe we have a team that can win and it's going to take a lot to stop us."

Flanagan looks forward to an electric environment at the Gryphon Centre Saturday afternoon. Each of the teams she has had the privilege of coaching are special to her for different reasons. What makes this one unique is how they have bonded and treated one another like family, regardless of who is playing or how much they're playing. 

"Everyone seems to be pulling the rope in the same direction and that's really important when you're coaching at this level and you're trying to get to the next level and win that next game," said Flanagan. "They've been a fun group. They take their hockey jobs seriously and they're focused academically. It really is a dream group in that they want this. We've got a core that has building towards this for four, five years. They're focused on keeping that trophy in the building when the game is over."

FAST FACTS

* Gryphons last OUA title in Women's Hockey:  1997-98
* Saturday's McCaw Cup will be a one-game, winner-take-all. This marks the third season the OUA has used this format with previous years featuring an OUA final that was a best-of-three series
* Tickets for Saturday's game are available online and can also be purchased in person at the Client Service Desk of the W.F. Mitchell Athletics Centre
* Following Saturday's McCaw Cup, both Guelph & Western will head to Calgary for the CIS Championships (March 17-20) - with the semifinals and final being televised live nationally on Sportsnet