Box Score
Thunder Bay, Ont. – The Lakehead Thunderwolves spoiled the Gryphons comeback bid, picking up the 4-3 shootout win tonight (Jan. 4) in Thunder Bay for the first game of a weekend double-header.
The Gryphons fell behind 3-0 but tied up the game scoring all three goals in the third period to send it into extra time. After a scoreless overtime, the Thunderwolves Keith Grondin and Luke Judson scored in the shootout for the win.
The play was even to start the game, as both teams were playing cautious at first. It wasn't until late in the first period when Luke Judson chipped the puck past Gryphon goaltender Brandon Maxwell (Guelph, Ont.) at 18:37 on a powerplay marker to open the scoring. At the close of the first period the Thunderwolves led 15-8 on shots on net.
In the second period the Thunderwolves started off hot and took a 3-0 lead over the Gryphons following a pair of goals. By the end of the period, Lakehead outshot Guelph 9-7.
It wasn't until the third period that the Gryphons showed signs of life. Guelph came storming back in what was an offensive opening frame. J.T MacDonald beat Wolve's netminder Alex Dupuis with a clean wrist shot to score his seventh of the season, making the score 3-1 for Lakehead. Andrew Bathgate (Georgetown, Ont.) and Daniel Broussard (Fayetteville, NC) earned the helpers. Philip Terri (Elora, Ont.) then pulled the Gryphons to within one as he buried a one-timer on the power play at 13:54 with assists going to Cameron Odam (Stittsville, Ont.) and Ken Peroff (North Bay, Ont.). With only 30 seconds left in the third period, rookie Brett Appio (Bolton, Ont.) buried his seventh goal of the season, tying things up at 3-3. The third period was much more productive for the Gryphons as they outshot Lakehead 17-3.
In overtime the two teams played even for the most part. With 5.7 seconds left in overtime, a shot from a Lakehead player broke a panel of glass behind the Gryphon net. The two teams were forced to wait for the glass to be repaired before closing out the scoreless overtime.
In the shootout, Guelph's JT MacDonald and Nicklas Huard were stopped by the Lakehead goalie while both Thunderwolves shooters were successful for the win.
Gryphons goaltender Brandon Maxwell made 26 saves on 29 shots in the match-up. Lakehead goalie Alex Dupuis made 35 saves on 38 shots.
The Gryphons will look for redemption on Saturday night to conclude their double-header against the Thunderwolves in Thunder Bay. Their next home game takes place January 18 as they square off against the Waterloo Warriors in the annual 'Frosty Mug' game played at the Sleeman Centre at 7:30 PM.
