The U18AA Guelph Gryphons returned from our trip to Barrie with the Gold Medal. Putting some adversity, injuries and trips to the hospital aside to emerge undefeated with a 6-0 record finishing it off with a clutch 4-3 victory of the Sarnia Jr Sting in the finals!!
The U18AA Gryphons headed into the Christmas break seeing success in league play at 14-4-2, and with a 3-2 December record the break came at an opportune time to reset and recharge. The boys took that opportunity to rest the bumps, bruises and breaks of the season and spend time with family, friends at home and away to get ready for our trip to Barrie.
The schedule saw our Gryphons face off against all new opponents in the Round Robin. First up was a battle against London Jr Knights Green. The Gryphons came out fast scoring in the first 6 minutes, and while London tied it up eventually the Gryphons came out flying to start the third and score 2 quick ones to finish with a 3-1 victory.
Next up the boys had a quick bite and time to check into the hotel and try to find parking spots with 6 foot snow banks getting in the way, to prepare for Gloucester. While it took a period to shake off the rust, the team pulled away for a 3-0 victory, to take a 2-0 Round Robin record into day 2.
Day 2 saw them face off against host Barrie in a feisty game, but still coming out on top 3-1 to finish the round robin 3-0, and in 2nd place losing the top seed in a tie break to Sarnia. They would face the 7th seed in the quarters vs a very good Cumberland Jr Grads team.
In the quarters, we fell behind in the 2nd by 1 goal and were able to find a way to tie it up on the very next shift, and pull ahead 6 minutes later. After a stressful last few minutes with bodies, sticks and everything in the way of a Cumberland barrage the Gryphons secured a spot in the semis and a re-match vs London Jr Knights Green.
A quick turnaround the next morning for the semis, and we were once again able to score the first goal a few minutes in. While London was able to tie it early in the second the boys scored 3 unanswered goals to take home a 4-1 victory and finish up what was a collision course with the Sarnia Jr Sting.
With a few hours in between games, the boys grabbed some lunch, played some cards and reset their minds for the task at hand. This time the game would not start in our favour and the Gryphons fell behind 2-0. Showing the resiliency they have all year, they were not phased, and stormed back to tie it up before heading into the second period. From there we would score 2 more unanswered. A late Sarnia goal made it a nail biter, but again they were able to dig down and find a way when it mattered most to get the victory and the championship celebration they all covet with helmets, sticks and gloves littering the ice.
For some this was their first tourney win ever in minor hockey, for some their first in a few years, and some have won in consecutive years. But this group will remember this one for a long time, coming together as a group heading into the second half of the season for what they hope and have worked for a long playoff run.