WATERLOO, ON - The Gryphons women's hockey team earned the right to have home-ice advantage throughout the OUA playoffs after finishing atop the standings during the regular season. And that home-ice advantage is about to come into play. Saturday afternoon at the Columbia Ice Field Arena on the campus of the University of Waterloo, the Gryphons lost 2-1 to the Warriors in Game 2 of their OUA Semi-final series. With the best-of-three series now tied at 1-1, the Gryphons will return home for a decisive Game 3 matchup on Sunday afternoon.

After winning 3-1 in the opening game of the series, the Gryphons made the short trip to Waterloo looking for a sweep of the Warriors. However, it was the Warriors who were able to open the scoring midway through the 1st period when Maryn Caragata was able to jump on a rebound and give Waterloo at 1-0 lead. Before the end of the period, the Gryphons would respond with a power play goal from standout defenceman Katherine Bailey. Bailey's point shot would find its way through a crowd and into the back of the net for her 2nd goal of the playoffs to tie the game at 1-1.

The Gryphons had several high quality scoring chances in the 2nd period but were unable to find a way to beat Waterloo's star goalie Stephanie Sluys. Despite out-shooting Waterloo 13-4 in the 2nd period, the score remained tied at 1-1 thanks to several big stops by the Warriors netminder, including a denial of a Sophie Contant breakaway and Karli Shell's ensuing rebound attempt. Sluys finished the night with 28 saves on 29 shots. The Warriors, who had just 16 shots on the net, would score the game-winner at the 13:52 mark of the 3rd period.

During a 2-on-1 break, Warriors forward Angela MacDonald would keep and fire a perfectly placed shot off the crossbar and in to give the Warriors a 2-1 win. The series will now shift back to the Gryphon Centre on Sunday (2pm). The Gryphons are undefeated on home ice so far this season and will be looking to book a spot in the OUA championship game (McCaw Cup). Awaiting the winner of the Guelph-Waterloo series is the No. 2-seeded Nipissing Lakers who defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues in two straight games. If the Gryphons are victorious Saturday afternooon, they will host the McCaw Cup. Should the Warriors pull off the win on Sunday, the McCaw Cup will be held at Nipissing University in North Bay.

Sunday's Game 3 between the Gryphons and Warriors can be seen live online at www.oua.tv.
 

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