GUELPH – It hasn't been the start that the two-time defending McCaw Cup winners had hoped for. The Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team members have actively been searching for snippets of the kind of play that helped them to back-to-back titles. They may have finally got a glimpse Friday night. Guelph rallied to score twice in the third period and take down the visiting Windsor Lancers 2-1 at the Gryphon Centre Arena.

Veterans Katherine Bailey and Kelly Gribbons each scored one minute and 37 seconds apart to complete the comeback on a night where the Gryphons, who had won once in the first four games of the OUA schedule, were looking like their old selves.

"We were so much better tonight," said head coach Rachel Flanagan. "It was a much more disciplined effort from our team."

Flanagan felt that for the first time this season, her players were less concerned with what the opposition was doing and more focused on having the Lancers answer their questions. And Guelph's confident play led to several pucks to the Windsor net, numerous scoring chances, and a few tweaks on special teams designed to get both the penalty kill and power play going. 

The Gryphons (2-3-0) trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes on a Sydney Dobbin goal in the second period. But Guelph got to work in the third. Bailey, a fourth-year defenceman, who had missed two games with the flu, made a memorable return to the lineup. The Lucan, On native is a presence on the blueline but she showed her offensive upside with a great point shot that made it's way through traffic and in behind Windsor goaltender Molly Jenkins at 12:58 of the third period. Katie Mikkelsen and Cyan Roepcke picked up assists on the equalizer.

Less than two minutes later, Gribbons would net the winner. Claire Merrick deked a few Windsor players and got to the net, where she pushed a pass across the crease for the fifth-year forward to bang home. 

It was a welcome sight for Flanagan.

"As coaches, we've been talking about the need to have players finish plays that Claire is making," the coach said. 

Second-year Calgary native Aurore Beaulieu got the start in net for the Gryphons and made 13 saves.

Guelph outshot the Lancers 25-14 on the night and 14-6 in a one-sided first period. It was one of the Gryphons' more dominant efforts of the young season and for the players and staff, hopefully a sign of things to come. Flanagan felt that because there are so few rookies on the team, there has been less talk about maintaining the culture they've built in recent years. 

That changed the past week when the veteran leadership group became more vocal, reminding players of what it takes to achieve success. 

"For us, it's sticking with the process," she said. "We know we have to keep working.

"Those veterans stepped up and explained that we needed to be better."

Guelph is back in action Sunday, Nov. 5 against the Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo. The puck drops at 7 pm.