Nov 25, 2018 | Bruce Schlitt | 207 views
Atom AE Earn 3 Points in Home and Home With Milton
The Gryphon Atom AE's battled for three points during a home and home series with the Milton Winterhawks in Harrison Division action this week.
On Thursday evening the Winterhawks travelled to Guelph as the Gryphons served as host at the Centennial Arena. The Gryphons got on the board to open the scoring with 3:23 remaining in the first. Gryphon forward Nolan Lodder fed a pass back to defenseman Jackson Byard at the point. Byard walked in and blasted a wrist shot off the back of a Milton defender which caused the puck to change direction and bounce into the open corner of the net. The 1-0 lead help up as the first period ended.
Milton evened the score on a breakaway with 2.32 remaining in the second but less than a minute later, Caleb Davison and Peyton Markwood cycled the puck down low before Milan Wilson walked out of the corner and roofed a backhander to restore Guelph's lead. The second period ended with the Gryphons still out front 2-1.
Milton took control of the third period only to be turned away time and time again by the fantastic goaltending of Fraser Litchfield. Finally as the clock ticked down, Milton mounted one last rush with the goalie pulled and a wrist shot thru traffic found the top corner with just .2 seconds showing on the clock to tie the game. Litchfield was outstanding for the Gryphons and allowed the home team to escape with a point.
On Sunday afternoon, the Gryphons travelled east down the 401 for the return engagement in Milton. After a scoreless first period, the Gryphons exploded for four goals in the second period. Guelph went on the powerplay and 1:24 into the period, Caleb Davison scooped up a loose puck in front and tossed it home for a 1-0 lead. Kenny Beynon and Milan Wilson drew assists on the play. Then 3:03 into the second, Peyton Markwood ripped a shot from the top of the circles that was too hot to handle and fell into the net for a 2-0 lead. Kai Stone picked up the assist. 14 seconds later, Guelph went up 3-0 as Stone fed a gorgeous cross crease pass to a waiting Markwood who tapped it home for his second of the contest. Milton responded 22 seconds later to close the gap to 3-1 but with 2:47 remaining in the second, Guelph went on the powerplay once again. Kenny Beynon crossed the line and drove a shot on goal and Caleb Davison drove the net, crashing thru two Milton defenders, to tap home the loose puck and restore the three goal lead. The second period ended with Guelph holding a 4-1 lead.
Guelph continued with their hard work but were unable to hold off the pesky Winterhawks forever, Two goals in ten seconds, the first on a powerplay, closed the gap to 4-3 with 2:41 to play. However, the Gryphons refused to break and kept the Milton squad in check as they poured on the pressure with the goalie pulled. An exhausted short handed Gryphon squad celebrated its one goal victory as the final buzzer finally sounded.
Maxwell Heroux was strong between the pipes to earn the victory.
The Gryphons (15-1-2) get set to host the Oakville Rangers this Thursday. Game time is 7:30 at the Centennial Arena.