Oct 24, 2017 | Michael Thomson | 644 views
Atom Select Gryphons Off to a Flying Start
By Bill Johnson
The Atom Select Gryphons started their
season with an impressive effort at home against the Flamborough Sabres. The Gryphons started the game pressuring the
Sabres for the majority of the first period and forcing the Flamborough goalie
to make several tough saves. Eventually
the Gryphons broke through with 2:22 to play in the first period, after a nice
pass out front by Brayden Tomei was slotted home by Finn Coulson, just above
the glove right side. One zip after the
first period of play.
The Gryphons started the second period with the same pace, continually attacking the Flamborough net. After sustained pressure, the Gryphons struck again with 8:14 left, as Will McNab knocked in a rebound, following Cam Johnson Hallahan’s shot. This seemed to encourage the Gryphons further as they scored again only 32 seconds later. Nate Taylor was able to steal the puck off a Sabres defencemen out in front and shoot it high over the goalies’ glove, bulging the twine. With 4:35 remaining in the period, the Gryphons struck again as Hudson Marshall was able to break free of a back check and deke out the goalie for the teams’ fourth goal of the game. Then with more sustained pressure, the Gryphons were able to get on the scoresheet quickly again, after a shot by Tanner Johnson was saved, Kai Stone was able to jump on the rebound and slide it passed the Sabres’ goalie. With only 29 seconds left in the period, the Gryphons were able to score their fifth goal of the frame, as Nate Taylor was able to pick up a puck played by Tanner Johnson, and while Taylor’s hard shot was blocked, Robertson was able to slip home the rebound after rushing hard to the net. After two periods of the play, the score was 6 – 0 for the home team.
In the third period, the Gryphons kept up the pressure and were able to score at the 11:23 mark as Hudson Marshall was able to pick up the loose puck in the neutral zone and skate in on a breakaway for his second goal of the game. The Sabres were able to hold the Gryphons off the board for a while, but then Guelph was able to find the back of the net at the 3:50 mark when Hudson Marshall converted off a scramble out front. Lastly, with 2:42 remaining in the game, it was Hudson Marshall converting again as linemates Kai Stone and Tanner Johnson drew assists after some hard forechecking behind the Sabres net.
It was a great way to start the season – smart decisions and really strong defensive play by all six of our D. Our goalies came up with the big saves when required, and our forwards hustled and forechecked hard.