2022-2023 U15 - A | Oct 07, 2022 | Doug Reddick | 1234 views
U15 A Guelph Gryphons Champions at Woolwich Fall Memorial Tournament!
The Guelph Gryphons U15 A team crowned Champions at the Woolwich Fall Memorial Tournament to kick of the 2022-2023 season.
The wait was finally over as the 2022-2023 hockey season officially started for Guelph Gryphons U15 A hockey team, which began September 30th while participating in the Woolwich Fall Memorial Tournament.
The tournament started Friday afternoon with the first of 3 round robin games facing the Dorchester Dragons. This game started with the Gryphons scoring 5 seconds into the game, which was followed up by a second goal 15 seconds later. A great way to start the season indeed! With a 2-0 lead in less than 20 seconds, the Gryphons continued to play an aggressive game which resulted in a 9 – 0 final score.
Game 2 saw the Gryphons take on the Innisfil Winter Hawks for an evening contest in St. Jacobs. Again taking an early 2 – 0 lead, the Gryphons once again dominated play at both ends of the rink outshooting the Winter Hawks 32 – 5! Without question the Gryphons were on a roll playing an aggressive, physical and fast game that clearly was tough to manage.
Paired with sound goaltending that resulted in back-to-back shutout victories, the Gryphons started the tournament with 2 straight wins and first place after day one.
With a spot in a semi final game already secured, the Gryphons entered game 3 Saturday afternoon playing the Whitby Wildcats. After a bit of a slower start than had been exhibited in the previous 2 contests, the Gryphons finally got their groove back to earn a 6 – 1 victory – cementing first place over all.
The semi finals were played Sunday morning versus the tournament host, the Woolwich Wildcats. The Guelph – Woolwich rivalry was back on as the teams were certainly very familiar with one another going back to the 2021-2022 season. The game proved to be tight checking and fast with both teams getting their chances, but Guelph got into penalty challenges early on. Mid-way through the second period, Woolwich would get on the scoreboard first. Guelph then tied it up with 4 seconds left in period 2.
Then, during the first minute of the 3rd period, Guelph would go up by a goal while on the power play. The score remained 2 – 1 until the dying minutes of the game when Guelph would score on an empty net to secure a 3 – 1 victory. A nail-biter to say the least, but a hard-fought and deserving win for the Gryphons nonetheless. This win was the just the ingredient needed to build the confidence needed going into the final game.
The Championship game went Sunday afternoon versus the former #2 ranked Georgina Blaze. Early ‘scouting’ of the Blaze indicated that it would be a physical and fast-paced game that would require the Gryphons to be focused and ready.
The Gryphons were on the board first early in the game but was answered by the Blaze a minute later. The Gryphons then scored its second goal with 2 minutes left in the first and took a 2 – 1 lead into the second period.
In the second period, both teams got themselves into penalty trouble as the game picked up speed and became more physical. Despite powerplay opportunities for both teams, the Gryphons escaped the second period with a 3 – 2 lead.
The final frame saw more of the same with powerplay opportunities going both ways. Fortunately for the Gryphons, they were able to extend their lead and add an empty-netter for a 6 – 3 victory!
Winning the Woolwich Fall Memorial Tournament was a great accomplishment for this Gryphons team and an awesome start to the season. With a 5 – 0 tournament record, outscoring their opponents 29 – 5 overall, 2 shutout victories and having balanced scoring across all three lines is evidence of the early season efforts and commitment this team of 17 players has put forth. It is with great anticipation that the Tri-County season get under way to see what these players can accomplish!
Great work Gryphons!
Coach Doug