GUELPH – The performances keep getting better for the red-hot Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team. The Gryphons got a late third-period goal from Manny Gialedakis to down the Lakehead Thunderwolves 3-1 and extend their win streak to three games Friday night at Gryphon Centre Arena.
 
The decisive goal in an excellent game came with four minutes remaining – and it was highlight-reel stuff. With the game tied 1-1, the Gryphons controlled the puck in the Thunderwolves' zone and made three pretty passes, the last by Seth Swenson, who found Gialedakis near the left faceoff circle. The fourth-year Woodbridge, ON native made no mistake and buried one past goaltender Nic Renyard, who was forced out of position from the slick Gryphon passing.

Lakehead had a chance to respond with a late Guelph penalty and a subsequent 6-on-4 opportunity but Andrew Kopstals found the empty net from a tough angle with 1:08 left to ice it, snapping the visitors' four-game win streak in the process.

"We expected and got a tough game," said head coach Shawn Camp. " We knew someone's streak was ending.

"We worked throughout the game and controlled the play. When we work hard like that and keep our game simple, our skill comes out. That winning goal was all tape-to-tape, one-touch passing.

"And it was nice to Andres rewarded for his hard work on the penalty kill."

Jason Da Silva was sharp for Guelph (5-3-1), turning away 26 of 27 shots faced. Cody Thompson had the other goal for the Gryphons, who have outscored opponents 11-3 during the three-game win streak.

"Both goalies were excellent tonight," said Camp. "Jason had another solid performance. He came up with some big saves at key times to help us win this one."
 
The Gryphons could have easily been up by multiple goals if not for Renyard's strong play, especially with his glove. But Guelph eventually got the goal they deserved as a more cautious second period was winding down. Josh McFadden (two assists) hit Thompson with a beautiful feed that sent him in on a partial breakaway, and while holding off a Lakehead defender, the third-year Mississauga, ON native lifted a shot over Renyard's blocker side for a 1-0 lead late in the period.

Thompson leads the Gryphons in both goals (five) and points (nine).
 
The hosts had a great opportunity to extend the lead early in the third period when Chris Brill-Morgan came out of the penalty box and Guelph produced a 3-on-1 chance. But the Gryphons couldn't convert and the puck went back down the ice, where Daniel Del Paggio got in on one of several Lakehead breakaways and fired a shot just underneath Da Silva's crossbar to tie the game 1-1.
 
The Gryphons played fast in the first period and dominated puck possession. Guelph threw lots at Renyard, who had to make several saves, including a few straight in a sequence where Swenson tried a wraparound and Nicholas Boyer let go a shot from right in front of the net.  

A few moments later, Guelph should have taken a 1-0 lead. Patrick Kudla undressed a Thunderwolves defenceman and found Scott Simmonds, whose initial shot was saved. J.P. Villeneuve banged a loose puck into the net but the official lost sight of it and waved the goal off.
 
The Gryphons registered 16 shots in a busy first period. Lakehead did produce a couple odd-man rushes, as well as two breakaways where Da Silva had to stand tall. Guelph finished with 37 shots on goal.
 
The Gryphons are back on the ice Saturday, Nov. 11 to host the Waterloo Warriors. Game time is 7:30 pm.