GUELPH, Ont. – A Frosty Mug record-tying crowd of 4,942 fans filled the Sleeman Centre in downtown Guelph on Thursday night for the 14th edition of the University of Guelph's men's hockey signature event, with Axiom Mortgage Solutions once again serving as the official presenting sponsor. Gryphon fans were sent home happy after a three-goal opening period led the U of G team to 5-1 victory and Frosty Mug bragging rights. With the win the Gryphons improve to 11-12-0 on the season and move up into 5th-place in the OUA West division while the Thunderwolves fall to 9-12-1 and remain 7th in the OUA West.
"I loved our start," said Gryphons head coach,
Josh Dixon, who was behind the U of G bench for his first Frosty Mug. " We talked a lot about our start and it has been something we have worked on all season. To jump out and score right off the bat and then to build a three nothing lead in the first, we really liked that. But you know they had us on the ropes there in the second at 3-1 but I loved the response from the team and to settle things down with that fourth goal and then to play a solid third period defensively. And I cannot say enough about the way
Tanner Wickware played tonight."
It did not take long for the Gryphons to give the soldout crowd in attendance something to cheer for, as just 1:03 after puck drop freshman forward
Hunter Brazier made the crowd erupt with a five-hole shot past Lakehead goaltender Max Wright.
It was the Gryphons fastest goal to open a game this season, and quickest the team had ever scored in a Frosty Mug. Veteran
Luke Bignell was the one to find Brazier streaking down the middle of the ice, earning his second assist of the season since rejoining the Gryphons after the winter break. After the Gryphons successfully defending a pair of Lakehead scoring chances, Brazier was back at it, this time finding
Nolan DeGurse on the doorstep for his sixth of the season. The Gryphons capped off an incredible opening period to The Frosty Mug by taking a three-goal lead after
Jaxon Camp fired a point shot that deflect off two Thunderwolves and into the back of the net.
When the Gryphons and Thunderwolves emerged from the locker rooms of the Sleeman Centre for the second period of action, frustrations from the first began to show for the visitors. The extracurricular play would result in offsetting penalties, sending the game to 4-on-4 action. With more ice to work with the Thunderwolves would capitalize, cutting the Gryphon lead to two and momentarily quieting the crowd. The Gryphons would get the crowd back into the game six minutes later when
Jonah De Simone found
Luke Kutkevicius in the slot for his 9th of the season.
"There is no doubt we fed off the atmosphere in the arena tonight," said Dixon. "The guys were excited because this is a big game in our schedule and to play in front of such an outstanding crowd, I really can't say enough about our fans. The fact that they not only showed up and sold out the arena, but also showed so much support and excitement and I think that bred even more animosity as the game went on."
Heading into the third the Gryphons were looking to hold on to their three-goal lead and earn a ninth Frosty Mug victory. Despite the Thunderwolves continuing to put the pressure on,
Tanner Wickware was spectacular in net, turning aside 34 of the 35 shots he faced. As the period continued emotions began to run high, resulting in 13 penalties handed out in the final frame. With several players in the box and just over two minutes remaining,
Jonah De Simone would officially seal the game with a great play along the boards to spring himself free towards an empty net.
The Gryphons, who return to action right away Friday night (Jan. 19) with another matchup against the Thunderwolves, improve their all-time record at The Frosty Mug to 9-4-1. For head coach
Josh Dixon, who had the best seat in the house for the Gryphon win, it was a great experience for everyone involved. "It's such a great game for us all to be a part of, we are really grateful that the University puts this on and I'll tell you what, I'm already looking forward to next year's Frosty Mug. Now though, we have to regroup and get ready to play this team again tomorrow night."
