Box Score
The Gryphon men's hockey team defeated the Western Mustangs tonight in London 4-2. A three-goal first period lifted the Gryphons over the Mustangs and Guelph's record now moves to 2-3-1.
The Gryphons were led by goaltender
Andrew Loverock who stopped 38 shots to give Guelph their second win on the year. The team spread the scoring around with four different Gryphons each recording a goal while forwards
Cale Jefferies,
Michael Charbonneau and
Andrew Bathgate all contributed two assists.
Western opened the scoring only 1:12 into the game, however the lead was short lived as Guelph's
Jordan Mock fired back just over two minutes later to tie things up at one. Neither team was able to gain much of an advantage for the majority of the first period, with the two teams trading rushes for long stretches of play.
Guelph broke the stalemate with just under seven minutes remaining in the period as
Cameron Odam fired a booming shot from the point giving Guelph a one-goal edge. The Gryphons would add another goal with only 19 seconds remaining in the period as
Justin Gvora found the net behind Western goaltender Josh Unice to make it 3-1 after the first 20 minutes.
The Mustangs appeared to close the gap early in the third period however Loverock made a phenomenal glove save to keep the puck just on the other side of the goal line. Just over a minute later
Matthew Lyall would take a pass from Bathgate and fire a slap shot over Unice's shoulder to make it 4-1 Guelph.
Western would come out of the gate strong in the third period and score to pull the Mustangs within two just under four minutes into the period.
The Gryphons were able to hold off the Western attack throughout the period with Loverock stopping 16 shots in the frame. Western appeared to score their third goal with only 2:40 remaining in the period, however the goal was immediately waved off by the referee ruling that the puck was batted in with a high stick, giving Guelph the 4-2 win.
The Gryphons are on the road this weekend for a pair of exhibition games against Princeton on Friday (Oct. 19 – 7pm) and Saturday (Oct. 20 – 4pm).
- Files from Western -
