Nov 14, 2018 | Brad Mitchell | 159 views
May Scores Twice in Home Opener Loss to Kitchener
The much anticipated Guelph home opener between the
Gryphons and Kitchener Rangers took place on Monday November 12th with the Guelph Gryphons finally showing off their Home Black Uni's.
It was the Rangers who opened the scoring early in the 1st period after some spirit back and forth play. The Gryphons answered back mid way through the 1st driving the net and after several turned away attempts, May drove home the Gryphons 1st goal to tie up the game (1-1). The momentum would not last, however, as the Guelph defence got turned around again allowing for a Ranger break away restoring the Ranger's 1 goal lead.
Despite a late 1st period powerplay for Guelph, the Gryphons struggled to maintain possession which saw the Rangers capitalize on a neutral zone turnover and an unexpected 3 on 1 attack resulting in a short handed goal and a Rangers lead (1-3) to end the 1st period.
The Gryphons, however, answered the call of the bell busting out of the gate and setting the tone for the 2nd period which culminated in a beautiful set up from Bradshaw to the stick of May who once again made no mistake burying his 2nd goal of the game and narrowing the gap to 1 goal (2-3). Unfortunately, the Gryphons continue to struggle on the man advantage failing to convert on 2 more power plays ending the 2nd period still down by 1 goal (2-3).
After a quality performance in net by Sheridan, Kurt was the man in the crease to start the 3rd period and he was immediately tested turning away several quality Ranger attempts. The Gryphons were able to shift the pressure back into the Rangers zone and grind away in front of their opponent's net eventually seeing Griswold finding a hole and hammering home the tying goal (3-3).
The Gryphons saw yet another Powerplay and once again, and despite the effort, were challenged mounting an attack which lead to the 2nd short handed goal of the game for Kitchener (3-4) lead mid way in the 3rd. Realizing their mistakes, the home town Gryphons answered back utilizing their speed and some slick passing, one of which found Coulson’s stick and he floated a knuckler over the Ranger Goalie’s left shoulder to tie the game once again.
Neither team was playing for the tie in this one and both goalies where tested late in the 3rd, Kurt making a particularly sensational glove save, bringing the home town crowd to their feet and to preserving the tie with little more than 1 minute left in the game.
Unfortunately, for the Gryphons, they fell victim once again to the Rangers dominance in the neutral zone, leading to a quick turn over and a Rangers breakaway which found the back of the net and was the eventual game winner.
The Guelph Gryphons fell short in their home opener, but not before delivering their fans one of the most hard fought and exciting games of this young season.
The Gryphons hit the ice next in the Center Wellington Tournament on November 24th and look to improve on their 1-2-0 start to the season.
Go Gryphons!