WATERLOO, ON - Saturday night in Waterloo at the Waterloo Recreation Complex, the Gryphons women's hockey team extended their win streak to eight with a 4-1 win over the Laurier Golden Hawks. Third year winger
Kaitlin Lowy (Toronto, ON) added an empty net goal late to complete a hat-trick as the first-place Gryphons improved to 16-2-1 on the season. With the loss, Laurier falls to 3-11-3.
There was a different look to the Gryphons on Saturday night as the No. 2-ranked team in the country took the ice in Waterloo without the services of three of the team's top players. Goalie
Val Lamenta, defenceman
Katherine Bailey and forward
Kelly Gribbons were all missing in action as they are currently overseas representing Canada at the 28th Winter Universiade. Thanks to yet another huge performance from Lowy, the Gryphs adjusted to life without that trio just fine. With Guelph leading 1-0 in the 2nd period, Lowy extended the lead to 2-0 with her team-leading 14th goal of the season. After the Hawks made it a one-goal game, it would be Lowy once again finding the back of the net to restore the two-goal lead with her sixth multi-goal performance of the season. With 1:22 remaining in regulation, Lowy would complete her first hat-trick of the season, scoring into an empty net to cap a 4-1 Gryphons victory. Lowy's 16 goals on the season rank her 2nd in the OUA in scoring and 3rd in the country. Only Krystin Lawrence (Windsor) and Sarah Bujold (St. FX) have more goals (19).
Gryphons rookie goalie
Aurore Beaulieu (Calgary, AB) turned away 21 of the 22 shots sent her way for her fourth win in as many starts this season. Second year centre
Karli Shell (Lively, ON) opened the scoring for the Gryphons in the 1st period with her 3rd goal of the season. Third year defenceman
Meagan Lee had a pair of assists. The Gryphons outshot the Hawks 36-22 on the night.
Although the victory was the Gryphons 16th on the season, it was the first time the team had played without head coach
Rachel Flanagan behind the bench. With Flanagan is currently coaching Team Canada at the FISU games, assistant
Katie Mora assumed head coaching duties and helped the Gryphs stay red hot. Guelph's current eight-game win streak is the longest active win streak in the country (the Queen's Gaels are also currently riding an eight-game win streak).
Up next for the Gryphs, a Thursday night home game with the Toronto Varsity Blues. The Gryphons were
shutout by the Varsity Blues when the two teams met back in Toronto back in October.
