GUELPH, Ont. - Playing host to the top team in the OUA's West division, the Guelph Gryphons continued to battle and work for sixty minutes but ultimately did not have the answer for the Toronto Varsity Blue's power-play Saturday night at the Gryphon Centre. Boasting the league's best power-play, the Varsity Blues scored five times with the man-advantage en route to an 8-2 win over the Gryphons.
With just six points separating the top seed in the West and the third-seeded Gryphons heading in to the Saturday night match, the Gryphons were unable to make up some of that ground.
As the game got underway, the two teams played to a feverish pace. With plenty of action going back and forth, both Guelph and Toronto seemed to be playing the contest with a playoff intensity. However, after the Varsity Blues were able to get on the board first near the midway mark of the opening frame, they were then able to take full advantage of a six-minute power-play and extend their advantage. Scoring three times on the advantage, Toronto suddenly was up 4-0. The Blues then converted on another power-play shortly after to take a 5-0 lead in to the break.
In the second period, the Varsity Blues tacked on another power-play marker, however the Gryphons were able to kill off four other chances for the visitors in the period.
Trailing 6-0 entering the third, the Gryphons elected to keep fighting until the end. Just as the period began, Guelph was able to get their break through goal. Led by their captain, Mikkel Aagaard was able to get in tight on the Toronto goal and tuck the puck past Alex Bishop. Then later in the period, the Gryphons found the back of the net again. Scoring his first goal with Guelph, Luke Kutkevicius sent a quick wrist-shot high blocker side to pull the Gryphons within four. However, despite generating many close chances afterwards, that would be as close as the home side would get as Toronto went on to seal the victory with a pair of third period goals.
Looking to shake off the loss, the Gryphons will now head to St. Catharines on Thursday to renew their rivalry against the Brock Badgers. Game time is scheduled for 7:15.
