Collective team effort pushes Gryphons to 6-5-1 record
On Nov. 16, Hockey Day in Gryphonville was a success for the Guelph Gryphons men’s varsity hockey team as they defeated the UOIT Ridgebacks with an impressive 8-2 wins. As the day honoured the 1993-94 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) men’s hockey champions, the Gryphons put together a complete team effort in the strong victory.
Coming off a heartbreaking 4-3-overtime loss versus the Queens Gaels the night before, the Gryphons didn’t waste too much time, exploding with four goals in the first period. The first two goals came on the powerplay, both credited to Kyle Neuber, who would go on to have an impressive four point night, including a hatrick. With 18:14 played in the first, Nicholas Trecapelli scored with a shot to the top corner, making it 3-0 Gryphons. Sixteen seconds later, Teal Burns made it 4-0, leading the Ridgebacks to pull goaltender Colin Dzijacky in exchange for Jesse Raymond. Dzijacky allowed four goals on nine shots.
The second period featured several scoring chances with back and forth play, although only one goal would be scored after the outburst from the Gryphons in the first. Neuber moved the puck up to Nicklas Huard who would beat Raymond bottom corner, making it 5-0 Gryphons. Captain Daniel Broussard also had an assist on the goal. Huard would go on to join teammate Neuber, also recording a four-point night with one goal, and three assists.
The Ridgebacks finally got on the board 5:41 into the third period as Jordan Ramsay capitalized on an opportunity just outside the Gryphons crease. Even with the goal, frustration was a clear obstacle for the Ridgebacks as five out of their 11 penalties taken came in the third period, including Dominik Crnogorac receiving an unsportsman-like conduct, a four-minute penalty and a 10-minute misconduct. The Gryphons took full advantage as James Merrett made it 6-1 with a tap in from inside the crease. Neuber and John Collins would also add powerplay markers. Ramsay recorded his second of the night for the Ridgebacks in the last minute of the game, making the final score 8-2 Gryphons.
In the dominant win, the Gryphons had six players with multi-point nights, and 12 different names as contributors to the score sheet. Gryphons goaltender Keith Hamilton is also a notable mention as he made 22 saves in the victory.
The Guelph Gryphons look to build on the win as they make the trip to Ottawa on Nov. 22 to face off against the Carleton Ravens.