GUELPH, Ont. – 607 days ago, Guelph Gryphon's forward Ted Nichol broke down the left side of the ice early in the third overtime frame of the 109^th Queen's Cup and sent a jam-packed Gryphon Centre into euphoria when his snap-shot found the back of the Ottawa goal, crowning the Gryphons as 2019/20 OUA champions. Fast forward to present day, the Guelph Gryphons finally got to celebrate that remarkable accomplishment Thursday night when they hosted the Laurier Golden Hawks in their 2021 season opener. Although on the ice, the Gryphons were unable to come with a victory, ultimately falling 5-3 to Laurier, the night meant so much more than just the sixty minute game.
 
"It was a very emotional night for everybody because it was a celebration of something that we have been waiting to recognize and be able to celebrate together," Gryphon's Head Coach Shawn Camp said. "It was so gratifying to see so many people here tonight to recognize that championship team and to see the group of returning players that we have from that championship team get the honour that they deserved."
 
Unveiling their 109^th Queen's Cup championship banner just moments before puck drop, there was an atmosphere within the Gryphon Centre that was nearly impossible to replicate. Seeing the triple overtime hero, Ted Nichol stand at centre ice to queue the arrival of the banner set the tone for a tremendous night.
 
Once the two teams got down to business on the ice, the fans in attendance were treated to a thrilling back and forth affair.
 
Riding the energy of the pre-game ceremonies, the No. 5-nationally ranked Gryphons were able to establish the pace in the early stages of the contest. Controlling much of the play for the first five minutes, Guelph was able to generate a couple of different chances, as well as a power-play opportunity. Unfortunately for the home side though just as the penalty expired, Laurier's Justyn Gurney came flying out of the penalty box, collected the loose puck in the neutral zone and beat Gryphon goalie Gabe Mollot-Hill on a partial breakaway to quiet the crowd and give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Although they went on to outshoot Laurier 10-6 in the opening frame, the Gurney goal was the only tally in the period.
 
As the second period began though, it did not take Guelph very long to find the equalizer, which soon after would also become the theme of the game. Just over two minutes into the second, Aidan Brown watched as a high lofting pass fell onto his stick at the Golden Hawk's blue line where he corralled the puck, drove in tight on goal and used his back-hand to slide the puck past an outstretched Christian Propp.
 
Despite having a few chances following the Brown goal, the Gryphs were unable to jump in front as the period moved along. Then quickly capitalizing on a rush, Laurier regained the lead when Caleb Rich fired home a rebound chance putting the visitors up 2-1. Again though, Guelph would respond. Only three minutes later, Duncan Penman unloaded a howitzer from the blue-line that smashed off the crossbar before bouncing off the ice and in. The rookie defenceman's first OUA goal pulled the Gryphons even again, this time 2-2. Such as the back and forth flow of the game though, with only 24 seconds to play in the middle period, veteran forward, Anthony Sorrentino busted in on a partial break and snapped home the Golden Hawks third go-ahead goal of the game.
 
Trialing 3-2 with one period to go, the Gryphons were once again able to respond and again it was another first time OUA goal scorer. This time around, it was Luke Bignell tallying his first goal to tie the game 3-3 with a little over 14 minutes to go.
 
Despite seeing the Gryphons claw back to even the contest on three separate occasions, Laurier remained determined to spoil the Guelph party and did just that scoring back-to-back third period goals en-route to their 5-3 win.
 
"Our young team is recognizing pretty quickly that we are in a very tough division," Camp said. "We have some things we need to clean up in our game but that will happen as we go."
 
"This group has a great appetite for learning, and they have already made some improvements but there is still some work to. As we get everyone healthy, rolling and working together we'll be better for it."
 
In the end, the Gryphons out-shot the Golden Hawks 29-23.
 
Finding their way onto the score sheet, Brown, Penman and Bignell had the Guelph goals, while Jaxon Camp, Liam Ham, Zach Roberts, Nick Isaacson and Ted Nichol each recorded an assist. Mollot-Hill made 18 saves in goal in his Gryphon's debut.
 
It will be quick turnaround for the Gryphons now looking ahead at the schedule. Guelph will be back on the ice tomorrow night when they pay a visit to the Waterloo Warriors.
 
Puck drop from Waterloo is set for 7:oopm.