LONDON, Ont. - Trying to do something no one else in the OUA has been able to do to this point in the 2019-20 season, the Guelph Gryphons headed out west on the 401 to London looking to put an end to the Western Mustangs year while simultaneously putting themselves back in the Queen's Cup. Leading the Mustangs 1-0 in the best of three series entering game two on Saturday afternoon, the Gryphons came up just short in their bid as they fell 4-3 to the Mustangs.
Finding themselves down 4-1 in the second period, the Gryphons did everything they could to battle back in to the contest but in the end came up just one goal shy of getting back on even terms.
As the game got underway both teams took a few chances but did not have anything to show for it. With the period continuing on, it took a little bit of time before the first goal of the contest, but as the final few minutes of the frame approached, the Gryphons were able to get on the board. Serving as the overtime hero on Thursday night, Stephen Templeton was right back at it. In nearly the same spot as Thursday, Templeton again ripped a shot over the blocker of Mustang's goalie Luke Peresinni to give the Gryphs a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for Guelph, a wacky play just a few moments later would tie the game. As Gryphon's net-minder Brendan Cregan knocked away the puck, it would wind up deflecting off the neck of a Guelph defenceman and in to the back of the Gryphon's goal. With only 27 seconds remaining in the period following the goal, the score held 1-1 after one.
In the middle frame, the Mustangs made their push and in a big way. Scoring just 2:20 in to the second, Western went on to add two more goals to their tally over the next 6:35 as they all of a sudden jumped out to a 4-1 advantage. Following the fourth goal, Andrew Masters took to the crease for the Gryphons as Cregan appeared to be battling an injury. Trying to find a spark, Masters made multiple saves for Guelph before Giordano Finoro was sprung on a breakaway. All by himself, the Guelph product made no mistake getting the puck up and over Peresinni trimming the deficit to 4-2 after forty minutes.
Looking to get right back in to the contest as the third period began, the Gryphons quickly cut the Western lead to one. Only 62 seconds in to the final frame of regulation, Ted Nichol set up Andrew Dodson in the slot and he beat Peresinni giving the Gryphons all kinds of life. Pressing on for the tying goal, the Gryphons directed another 14 shots at the Western goalie in the third but were unable to find the equalizer.
When the buzzer sounded, the Gryphons had out-shot Western 44-37 but still needed one more goal on the scoreboard.
On the power-play Guelph went 1 for 5, while the Mustangs finished 1 for 6.
These two teams will now head back to Guelph for a winner take all game three which will be played on Sunday. With not only the OUA West title at stake, the winner of Sunday's game will also clinch a berth at nationals. Puck drop is set for 7:30 from the Gryphon Centre.
