2-1 loss moves Gryphons to 0-1-1 this season
The Gryphons men’s hockey team lost their home opener 2-1 in overtime against the York Lions on Oct. 3, moving to 0-1-1 on the season.
The energy in the Gryphon Centre was electric as the young Guelph team, with only two fourth year players, took to the ice in front of a large crowd, excited for the start of a new hockey season.
Both teams seemed fixated on gaining an advantage right from the first faceoff. The fast paced, back-and-forth action between the two teams could have given a spectator a neck injury. Thanks to some stellar saves from rookie goaltender Andrew D’Agostini, Guelph was able to keep the puck out and pocket one of their own at 15:20 in the first when Jordan Mock buried a shot after a scramble around the net. With that goal, Guelph was able to head to the dressing room up by one, despite being outshot 7-10 in the period.
It was more of the same to start the second period. Both teams were giving it their all to try to put their team ahead, but strong goaltending kept both squads frustrated. D’Agostini was stopping everything and it seemed like he was never going to get beat, until 13:53 when a point shot from York defenseman Paul Sohor was tipped by Trevor Peterson for the tying mark.
Guelph didn’t sit back though, continuing to pressure the Lions defensemen who seemed to be tiring from the Gryphons strong forecheck. Goal-scorer Mock ripped a shot off the crossbar, and Nicklas Huard just missed what was a sure tap-in. Despite these two great chances, Guelph was unable to convert.
To begin the third, Guelph came out to an explosive start, and this time it was York goaltender Chris Perugini’s turn to steal the show. It seemed certain that Guelph was going to score, but somehow Perugini was able to keep the puck out. With the way both goalies were playing the game seemed destined for overtime, but with only 3:00 left in the game Gryphons forward Trevor Morbeck took a four-minute penalty.
York pressed hard to end the game in regulation, but to Guelph’s relief a York forward took a tripping penalty with 1:47 remaining, giving way to four-on-four hockey. The period ended scoreless however, and both teams went to their benches to prepare for overtime. The total shots through three periods were 29-24 in favour of Guelph.
If the fans were expecting a long and dramatic finish, they were to be sorely disappointed. Only 57 seconds into the extra frame, a Guelph player attempted a cross-ice pass that resulted in a costly interception. York’s Dylan Smoskowitz buried his chance past D’Agostini to secure the win for the visitors.
The disappointment in the arena was unmistakable, as both the players and fans felt that Guelph displayed a stronger performance.
Guelph’s next game is on Oct. 10 when they visit the Western Mustungs, followed by their next home game on Oct. 11 against the Windsor Lancers.