GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team is beginning to distance themselves from a disappointing start to the OUA season. The two-time defending McCaw Cup champions have looked much more like the title-winners they are of late. Guelph ran it's win streak to three games with a sharp 2-0 victory over the visiting Laurentian Voyageurs on Alumni Day at the Gryphon Centre Arena.
The former Gryphon players in attendance, representing different generations, were treated to an excellent performance. Guelph applied pressure early and often, while playing a sound defensive game that kept Laurentian's scoring opportunities to a minimum, for a second consecutive shutout.
"We played a complete 60 minutes today," said head coach
Rachel Flanagan, who felt good about the team's effort. "We've found some chemistry with our lines."
Mallory Young and captain
Kaitlin Lowy scored for the Gryphons (4-3-0).
Aurore Beaulieu got the start in net and stopped all 15 shots she faced for her second win of the
season and second career shutout
.
Gryphon alumni at the ceremonial puck drop
Beaulieu made arguably her best save of the night early in the third period with the Gryphons up 1-0. Laurentian forward Jessica Staats steamed towards the net and let a hard shot go that Beaulieu stopped before smothering the rebound with Voyageurs crashing the net. The second-year Calgary, AB native also had to come up big with some key saves on a couple late Laurentian power plays.
The stop was critical because moments later, Guelph extended the lead to two goals when Lowy scored 2:50 into the third period. The puck was loose near the net after a shot from the point and Lowy gathered it, and coolly brought it on to her backhand before flipping the puck over Laurentian goaltender Karen Collins.
The Voyageurs pulled Collins fairly early for an extra attacker, and even had a 6-on-4 with a late Guelph penalty, but the Gryphons were composed on the crucial penalty kill to close out the game.
Young had scored the opener, and eventual winner, with 2:02 remaining in the first period, also a result of a point shot. Young let one go from inside the blueline and the puck bounced off the glass, took a bounce off the scrum around the crease, and went in behind Collins.
Flanagan said that it was a great opportunity to have the former Guelph players in attendance. The alumni who came played as far back as 1967 and they stayed to talk with the coaches and current players long after the game.
"It was pretty special for us to engage in conversation with the people who we try to honour every time our players pull their jerseys over their heads," the coach said.
The Gryphons are back on home ice Sunday, Nov. 12 when the Nipissing Lakers come to town. Game time at 2 pm.
