Playing five
games in five different rinks these Guelph Gryphons had a successful weekend
bringing home the New Market Spring Thaw Championship!
While the
tournament may have been called the New Market Spring Thaw, it could have been
more aptly termed the U12 A Gryphon Redemption tour! The first game of their
tournament saw the Gryphons face off against their rivals from down hwy 7, the
Halton Hills Thunder. Having lost their last five games against the Thunder,
the Gryphons came out firing! They scored early, often and played suffocating D
on their way to a convincing 6-0 victory!
While the
Gryphons felt pretty good about themselves, this feeling did not last long! In
their next game they faced the South Simcoe Storm. The Storm threw everything
they could at the Gryphons, including several body checks, handing the Gryphons
a 3-2 loss.
In their last
round robin game, the Gryphons spent the first period licking their wounds from
the day before, but woke up in the 2nd period route to a 6-1 victory
against the North Durham Warriors. This win set-up a semi-final showdown where
they would once again face their nemesis, the Halton Hills Thunder! The victor
would play for the championship…the looser would go golfing.
The semi-final
match would not disappoint. Both teams fought hard and battled as they had
every game they played against one another this season. Halton struck first
scoring early in the 2nd period…however less than a minute later the
Gryphons responded! Before the 2nd period ended the Gryphons scored
again and headed into the 3rd with a 2-1 lead. This proved to be the
final score as despite Halton’s best efforts, the Gryphons held on! Stick-taps
and mutual respect from both sides were given and off to the finals Guelph
headed!
In the final game
of the tournament and season the Gryphons faced off in a re-match with South
Simcoe. This time the Gryphons were ready! They scored first, second, third and
fourth winning a very well-played and complete final game 4-0!
Congratulations
to an amazing group of players, coaches, parents and fans! These Jr. Guelph
Gryphons are the Gene Harrington Winter Classic Champions, the New Market
Spring Thaw Champions and the 2023/24 TRI-COUNTY CHAMPIONS!!!! Congratulations
to:
#4 R. Ewert
#6 J. Lipkowski
#8 M. Malone
#9 A. McGregor
#10 H. Van Harte
#13 L. Kelly
#18 E. Rickard
#19 B. Smith
#21 J. Niesen
#22 R. Townson
#29 J. Hammill
#55 T. Bacchus
#59 G. Lunman
#81 C. Rowell
#88 S. Watson
#97 L. Ritchie
#98 C. Ratz
What an awesome
season!!!