GUELPH, Ont. – Justin Lemcke hasn't been around the Guelph Gryphons men's hockey program for long. But the first-year defenceman is wasting no time making an impact and after a timely offensive explosion, he's already part of Gryphon lore. Lemcke registered a hat trick in the second period to help Guelph beat the rival Waterloo Warriors 5-4 in the Bell Let's Talk Day game Saturday night at Gryphon Centre Arena.
 
The hosts were intent on avoiding a letdown after the exhilarating Frosty Mug Thursday night and the rookie D-man, who has now found the net four times in the last three games, provided the lift. All of Lemcke's goals were massive, the third giving Guelph its first lead of the game at 3-2. Ryan Valentini (3 assists) jumped in from the right circle and his second attempt on net found its way to Lemcke, who was parked down low to the right of Waterloo goaltender Trevor Martin.

The Whitby, ON native and former member of the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones, made no mistake, completing the trick from the identical spot in which he registered his first earlier in the period.
 
Marc Stevens and captain Scott Simmonds also scored. Stevens got his goal on a howitzer one-timer on a Guelph power play in the final minute of the second period for a 4-3 lead. Simmonds went to the blue ice in front of Martin midway through the third period and deposited a pass from the right wing that proved to be the game-winner.
 
Cody Thompson picked up an assist on Simmonds's goal. It was the 100th point of his Gryphon career and was celebrated by the veteran's teammates.
 
Andrew Masters followed up a great performance in between the pipes at the Frosty Mug with a 23-save night against the Warriors.
 
The Gryphons trailed 1-0 on a goal from Nick Halagian at 10:05 of the first but the game was blown wide open in a wild second period. Lemcke netted the equalizer 6:48 in when he was left alone down low and buried a puck past Martin, moments after he had fanned on a similar chance from the same spot.
 
Guelph appeared to go ahead almost immediately when Seth Swenson batted a puck into the Waterloo net but Lemcke, who was nowhere near the goalie, was called for interference, prompting the officials to wave it off. That was costly for the hosts because shortly after that controversial moment, the Warriors took a 2-1 lead when Cam Nicoll got his stick on a centred pass, lifting it past Masters.
 
Rather than sulk, Guelph got right back to it and Lemcke would equalize again at 13:10 when he scored from the right circle shortly after a Gryphon man advantage had expired. Lemcke added the third for a brief 3-2 lead but Michael Morgan replied just over a minute later, the fifth of six second-period goals between the two teams.
 
After Simmonds made it 5-3, Connor Cole potted Waterloo's fourth goal to get the visitors within one, making for a nervy second half of the third period.
 
The Gryphon power play has found new life lately and the good times continued Saturday as the unit cashed in three times in seven opportunities.
 
Guelph, which leads the OUA in shots per game and racked up another 44 against the Warriors, has 24 points on the season, good for fifth in the OUA West.
 
  
Gryphon Take
"I've had a couple two-goal games. I've been waiting a long time for the hat-trick so pretty happy to get it. A couple tap-ins but I'll take what I can get and it was good that our power play was going today." – Gryphon defenceman Justin Lemcke to Gryphvision's Scotty Fraser
 
"It was a very exciting game in lots of ways. Good scoring chances from both teams. We responded after falling behind in the first period. We were outstanding in the second. We limited them to 10 or less shots in each period. That will be critical for us to continue in trying to secure a playoff spot. And we're getting chances, which is great."
 
"Justin has been terrific addition to our back end. He has size, strength, moves puck well, and he plays with an edge. He's capable offensively as we saw tonight with the hat-trick." – head coach Shawn Camp
  
The Record
Guelph is 10-10-0-4 (wins-losses-OT losses-SO losses)
 
Next up
@ Lakehead, Friday, Feb. 1, 7 pm
 

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Bell Let's Talk Day is January 30. Spread the word and help us end the stigma associated with mental illness and grow Bell's funding for mental health. On Bell Let's Talk Day, for every text message, mobile and long distance call made by Bell, Bell Aliant an Bell MTS customers, every view of Bell Let's Talk Day on social media, every tweet using #BellLetsTalk, every application of the Facebook frame and every use of Bell Let's Talk Snapchat filter, Bell will donate 5 cents to mental health initiatives across the country. To learn more, visit bell.ca/bell.ca/letstalk.
 
For information about mental health services on Campus, reach out to Student services, or ask a faculty member or your campus medical clinic [update with any specific school resources].
 
About mental illness
Mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do. 
Mental illnesses are still feared and misunderstood by many people, but the fear will disappear as people learn more.  That's why schools from across the country are coming together to combat the stigma associated with mental illness.
If you, or someone you know, has a mental illness, there is good news: All mental illnesses can be treated.
 
Facts (from Canadian Mental Health Association) 
Mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague.
In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.
Mental illness affects people of all ages, education, income levels, and cultures.
Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some time in their lives.
It is estimated that 10-20% of Canadian youth are affected by a mental illness or disorder – the single most disabling group of disorders worldwide.
The total number of 12-19 year-olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million.
Suicide is among the leading causes of death in 15-24 year-old Canadians, second only to accidents; 4,000 people die prematurely each year by suicide.
In Canada, only 1 out of 5 children who need mental health services receives them.