Feb 01, 2016 | Bruce Schlitt | 380 views
Novice AA Upset 1st Place Orangeville
Coming off their dramatic overtime victory against Flamborough on Saturday, the Novice AA Gryphons kept the momentum rolling with a gritty 2-1 victory over the 1st place Orangeville Flyers on Monday night. The win leaves the Gryphons alone in 2nd place with one game remaining in the OMHA Qualifying Round.
The Gryphons came out flying and went right at the Flyers, matching them stride for stride and battling for loose pucks. Despite several chances, the game was scoreless after one period.
39 seconds into the second period, the Gryphons got on the board on a solo effort by Koen Smith. Just 54 seconds later, Landon Mitchell cashed in on a scramble in front to increase the Gryphon lead to 2-0. Nathan Schlitt and Matthew Stam drew the assists. Guelph continued to pour on the pressure but were unable to find the back of the net and the score remained 2-0 after two periods of play.
Orangeville took control in the third and poured on the pressure, hemming Guelph in their own end for much of the period. The Flyers cut the lead in half 3:18 into the period and the Gryphs hung on as best they could. The rest of the game turned into the Alessandro Gruosso Show, as the Gryphon netminder was sensational in turning aside 13 shots thru the remainder of the contest. With 28 seconds left, Orangeville pulled their goalie but were unable to get the rubber behind Gruosso and Guelph skated off with the victory.
The Gryphons have one game remaining in the round robin qualifying round and a win Thursday night against the Oakville Rangers will advance the Gryphons to the OMHA Quarter Finals.