Oct 25, 2021 | Bruce Schlitt | 131 views
U15 AA Splits Weekend Series With West Niagara
The U15 AA Gryphons played an entertaining home and home series against the West Niagara Flying Aces this past weekend, dropping the first game Saturday night before rebounding with a 3-1 victory in Grimsby on Sunday night.
On Saturday, West Niagara opened the scoring 7:26 into the first period and carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
In the second, Guelph tied things up as Marcus Taggart blasted a drive from the blueline that was tipped by Tyler Chadwick who was setting a screen in front. Zac Conroy also assisted on the tying goal and the two teams remained even at the end of two periods of play.
West Niagara potted the winning goal 4:11 into the third and despite numerous chances, Guelph was not able to tally the equalizer. An empty net goal with nineteen seconds remaining sealed the victory for the visiting Flying Aces. Despite a healthy 34-15 advantage in shots, Guelph was turned away time and again by strong Niagara goaltending.
On Sunday night, Guelph travelled down the QEW for the return match. West Niagara jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 2:24 into the contest but Logan Stevenson shut the door for the Gryphons the rest of the way. With 2:12 remaining in the opening period, Guelph dumped the puck out of its own zone to relieve pressure and speedy Nathan Briggs outskated and outmuscled three West Niagara players to pick up the loose puck at the top of circles in the West Niagara end and snapped a quick shot past a surprised West Niagara netminder to even the score at one. The two teams traded chances in the second but the teams headed to the dressing room at the second intermission tied at one apiece.
In the third, Guelph scored the winner 2:29 into the period as Andrew McMillan walked out from the side of the net and zipped a no look pass across the crease to a wide open Will Ross who one-timed the puck in the open net for a 2-1 lead. 48 seconds later, the Gryphons added an insurance marker as Guelph's speed broke down the West Niagara defense and shifty Sam Savery raced down the ice on a 2 on 1, faked a shot and slid the puck over to a waiting Calvin Cahill who slid the puck into the open net for a two goal cushion. The game ended with the 3-1 score holding up.
For the second straight game Guelph peppered the West Niagara net, this time outshooting the host team 27-15.
Guelph returns to the ice this Saturday as they host the Halton Hills Thunder. Game time is set for 5:15 and good seats are still available.