GUELPH, Ont. - Playing host to one of the top ten teams in the country, the Guelph Gryphons brought forth a strong effort Wednesday night that ultimately saw them take down the No. 8-nationally ranked York Lions. Taking on the Lions at the Gryphon Centre, Guelph used a full sixty-minute performance, three different goal scorers and strong goaltending to defeat York 3-1.

Coming into the contest trailing the Lions and the Toronto Varsity Blues by eight points for top spot in the OUA standings, while holding two games in hand over each team, the Gryphons made sure to take care what was in front of them and as a result pulled within just five points of York.

In the opening period, the Gryphons were able to set the tempo early on. Tallying the first three shots of the game, Guelph was creating most of the offensive chances, while keeping York pinned in their own zone. Then, Guelph received four straight power-plays within just minutes of each other, but were unable to convert. However, with the power-play time, the home side was able to further create more momentum for themselves. Before the first period expired, the Gryphon's penalty kill would be tested but was up to the task. Despite chances in both ends, the first period came to a close with the score still scoreless.

As the second frame began, the scoreless streak would not last much longer. It was just over four minutes into the period when Gryphon's captain Miranda Lantz skated into the offensive zone a sent a long wrist-shot past Lion's goalie Lauren Dubie to put Guelph on the board. Throughout the rest of period neither side was able to add to the score as Guelph took a 1-0 advantage into the final frame of regulation.

Leading by one entering the third, and looking to take a big three points from York, the Gryphons came out flying and were rewarded twice for it. Just past the five minute mark, Nicole MacKinnon drove hard into the the York zone, but was denied on her initial shot attempt. However, MacKinnon continued to hustle and chased down her own rebound before depositing it in to the back of the Lion's net. Then, breakaways started to come fast a furious. Killing a penalty, the Gryphons found themselves on the receiving end of three straight breakaways. Unfortunately, Dubie was able to deny all three, but she was unable to stop the fourth one when Karli Shell broke in all alone and beat the York goalie five-hole.

Holding their 3-0 lead, Guelph would see it shrink to 3-1 after York was finally able to beat Aurore Beaulieu. The Gryphons were able to kill off the final three minutes of play though as they secured the 3-1 win.

In the win, Beaulieu made 25 saves on 26 shots. 

Guelph will now head out on the road for six of their seven remaining regular season games, beginning in Waterloo on Saturday when they visit the Warriors. The Gryphons will be back home on February 12 when they play host to Ontario Tech.