GUELPH, Ont. - Thursday night at the Sleeman Centre in downtown Guelph, the Gryphons men's hockey team played host to the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the 12th edition of The Frosty Mug. The shorthanded Gryphons were unable to add to their impressive record in the Frosty Mug, falling 4-0 to the Golden Hawks in front of 2,106 fans. With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 7-4-1 all time in The Frosty Mug.
Guelph's lack of bodies was the story of the game, as the Gryphons dressed a shorthanded bench with only 13 skaters available (eight forwards and five defencemen). Those who were available on Thursday night did their part early on, with a tight-checking opening period keeping the game scoreless for the majority of the opening 20 minutes of play. Late in the opening period, however, the Golden Hawks would open the scoring when Laurier captain Anthony Sorrentino was able to jump on a loose puck and beat Gryphons netminder
Colton Incze to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead heading to the 2nd period.
As more Gryphon fans trickled into the Sleeman Centre, with capacity capped at 50% in the venue, the Gryphons would continue to push for an equalizer.
A goaltender interference call would send the Gryphs to the power play, but it was the Golden Hawks who were able to capitalize on a shorthanded opportunity after a clearing attempt led to a 2-on-0 break for the Hawks, which would be finished off by Michael Silveri to put Laurier up 2-0. Later in the 2nd period, the Gryphons would once again head to the power play, where they would come agonizingly close to trimming the deficit to 2-1, with the U of G power play unit creating three quality scoring chances, the best of which saw Gryphon assistant captain
Connor Bramwell ring a shot off the crossbar. Despite a strong push to end the 2nd period, the Gryphons trailed by two heading to the final 20 minutes of play.
In the 3rd period, the Golden Hawks would add to their lead three minutes into the period, with Nick Giunta extending the Laurier lead to 3-0. Late in regulation, Laurier would cap the scoring with a Caleb Rich goal, giving the Golden Hawks a 4-0 win over the Gryphons. Laurier netminder, Christian Propp, turned away all 23 shots sent his way for the shutout. Despite the loss, the Gryphons (2-9-1) remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, as they now sit five points behind the Waterloo Warriors (5-7-0) for the final playoff spot in the OUA Far West Division. The defending OUA champion Gryphons still have five games remaining in their 2021-22 regular season schedule, and will return to the ice for a pair of games next week versus Western, beginning with a Friday night matchup in London on March 4. The Gryphons will then return home on Saturday (March 5) to host the Mustangs, with puck drop set for 7:30pm at the Gryphon Centre.
