The Guelph Gryphon Minor Peewee AA’s travelled to
Oakville this past Saturday night in Game 5 of the OMHA Round Robin Qualifying
Series. In an exciting well-played
game, the Gryphons prevailed 4-3 over Oakville Blue to improve their record to
4-1.
Guelph came out the gates strong and jumped out to a
1-0 lead just 1:28 into the contest.
Olan Norton ripped a shot top corner on a pass from Tanner Bothwell to
strike first. 58 seconds later, Nolan Chabot, in his first game off the
disabled list, struck on the powerplay
on a wrist shot from the blueline to give the Gryphies a 2-0 lead. Matthew Stam and Noah Savery drew assists on
the play. Guelph appeared to be in
control until Oakville bounced back with a powerplay goal with just 13 seconds remaining
in the period. Guelph headed into the
first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Oakville used the momentum they got at the end of the
first to tie the game just 25 seconds into the second period. Suddenly the game was all evened up. But Guelph regained the lead with 3:18
remaining in the second when Andrew McMillan sent Olan Norton in on a one on
one break. Norton deked the Oakville
defender only to have the puck slide off his stick towards the net but the deke
confused the Oakville goalie and the puck slid between his pads for a 3-2 Guelph
lead. Norton then struck again for his
hat trick with just 35 seconds remaining in the second on a breakaway. Guelph ended the second period with their two
goal lead restored.
Oakville cut the lead in half with 7:59 remaining but
they would get no closer and Guelph headed home with a 4-3 victory. Parker Shany was solid in the net to earn the
victory.
Guelph (4-1) had their game with Oakville Red
cancelled on Monday evening so will head to Brampton on Friday evening before
hosting Oakville Red on Saturday night in two crucial games as the Gryphons
battle to qualify for the OMHA Quarter Finals.