GUELPH, Ont. - As soon as you walked into the Gryphon Centre Thursday night you could feel the playoff atmosphere in the air. With no doubt about it, the chase for the Queen's Cup was clearly about to begin.
In what could be argued as the most tightly contested OUA opening round playoff series, the No. 6-nationally ranked Guelph Gryphons came up just short in game one against the No. 9-nationally ranked Laurier Golden Hawks falling 3-1.
In a game that saw constant momentum swings go back and forth, it was the Gryphons establishing control early, but the visitors finding away to come out victorious in the end.
As the game got underway, the playoff intensity became apparent very quick. With both sides trying to establish control early while getting themselves accustomed to the higher paced action, the Golden Hawks were able to get the first couple of shots on goal. However, like a pendulum, the Gryphons quickly got momentum back on their side with solid chances in the Laurier end, however, they were unable to get anything past Golden Hawks netminder Matt Williams. Meanwhile, in Guelph's zone, Brendan Cregan was able to hold the fort down for the home side throughout the opening twenty minutes of play.
Once the second frame rolled around, the chances continued to pile up on both sides, but it would be the Gryphons breaking through first. Finding a loose puck at the side of the Laurier net, Giordano Finoro picked up it for Guelph, cut out front and quickly fired high glove-side over Williams to put the Gryphons out in front 1-0 exactly thirty minutes into the contest.
Progressing towards the late stages of the frame, the Gryphons continued to hold the lead while nearly adding to it on two different occasions. Twice the Gryphons rung the post as they tried to further their advantage. Unfortunately for Guelph, it was not long after when momentum swung again. On an ensuing face off after Cregan made a big save on a breakaway, the puck came right to Neil Aird who wired it just under the cross bar to tie the game 1-1. Then less than a minute after that, sitting on top of the crease, Matt McJannet had the puck wind up on his stick and fired it home to give Laurier their first lead of the game.
Now with only twenty minutes separating the Gryphons from a 1-0 deficit in their first round best of three series, the Gryphs came out and did everything they could to net the equalizer. Putting all kinds of pressure on Williams, the Golden Hawks goalie stood tall the entire time, and then his team was able to reward him with a two goal lead. Nearly ten minutes into the final period Ethan Wiseman found the puck and fired a shot from the low circle over the blocker of Cregan putting the visitors up 3-1. Despite a strong push from the Gryphons down the stretch, that is how the score would hold up.
"It was a great game both ways and both teams competed really hard with a terrific pace," said Gryphons head coach Shawn Camp. "We certainly had enough chances to win the game but we didn't finish which hasn't been a problem for us all season."
"We have to continue to create chances, bear down just a little bit more and make sure we finish some of the opportunities that we are getting."
Only one penalty was called in the game which sent the Gryphons to the power-play. However, they finished the night 0 for 1, with Laurier not getting an opportunity with the man-advantage.
Now facing a must win game two, the Gryphons will travel to Waterloo on Saturday to take on these same Golden Hawks as they try to force a game three which would be played in Guelph on Sunday.
