Women defeat Laurier while men down Windsor prior to Frosty Mug homecoming
Men’s hockey
In what is looking more and more like an eventual first-round playoff matchup, the sixth place Gryphons (9-7-3) doubled up on the fifth place Lancers (11-7-0) 4-2 in a Saturday night tilt at the Gryphon Centre.
Windsor started the game strong and fast, establishing a shot-heavy relationship with Guelph goaltender Andrew Loverock. The onslaught of shots peaked early in the first period when a shot on the power play by Windsor’s Paul Bezzo was chipped over the head of Loverock, but was saved as the goalie was able to get his glove on the puck before it went in
Shorthanded troubles continued for the Gryphons when John Collins was called for a slashing at 7:54. Collins’ penalty was redeemed by junior Philip Teri, who broke through the neutral zone to net his second of the season and put Guelph up one.
However, Guelph’s lead was short lived as Windsor’s Saverio Posa scored on the power play less than three minutes later to tie it up 1-1.
There was an exchange of goals between Guelph and Windsor in the second period that saw Kenneth Peroff score on the power play for the Gryphons before Windsor’s Derek Lanoue scored, tying it up again at 11:27.
Despite being outshot 34-24 on the game, the Gryphons came out strong in the third period. Nicklas Huard had a goal called back when the net came loose prior to the puck going in, but that bad fortune was soon forgotten with a breakaway goal by Robert De Fulviis at 6:48. Huard eventually netted the fourth and final goal for the Gryphons at 17:35.
Women’s Hockey
When the Ontario University Athletic’s (OUA) second place Laurier Golden Hawks traveled to Guelph to play the third place Gryphons, the expectations were high that the game would be fast and intense between the rivals. A 2-1 shootout win, with the winner scored by Guelph’s Jessica Pinkerton, ensured that the game lived up to its hype.
Gryphon goalie, Stephanie Nehring, continued the theme for Guelph goalies on the night, stopping 33 of 34 shots.
Scoring didn’t begin until the third period ,when Kimberly Wong passed to Amanda Parkins, who proceeded to wire a shot that would deflect off Guelph’s Christine Grant into the net for a 1-0 Gryphons lead. Laurier’s Tammy Freiburger tied it up at 11:16, and the score remained 1-1 to the end of regulation and throughout overtime.
Pinkerton, Guelph’s third shooter, was the only player to score for either side giving the Gryphons the win despite being outshot 34-19.
Guelph sits third in the OUA with 26 points and two games in hand from first place Queen’s, who has 29 points on the season.
Be sure to buy your Frosty Mug winter homecoming tickets from the Athletic Centre to watch the Gryphons host the York Lions at 7:30 p.m. at the Sleeman Centre, downtown Guelph.