Feb 24, 2024 | Duncan Bates | 123 views
U15 Gryphons Welcome the Woolwich Wildcats to Guelph
The U15 Select Gryphons hosted the Woolwich Wildcats for the first of a home and away series on Friday evening and walked away from the old barn with a big win.
Starting the game on our heals, our Gryphons showed off their recent lack of ice time and took several shifts to get themselves organized and on the offensive. Williams scored midway through the first to put the Gryphons up by one heading into the first intermission against a competitive Wildcats team.
The Gryphons started the second much as they started the first, on their heals and chasing the Wildcats who maintained zone possession amidst some chaotic positional play on both sides. Woolwich was able to capitalize to tie it at one and quickly went ahead with two additional goals to take a 3-1 lead. Martin was able to re-establish zone presence on strong pressure from a line with Williams and Lever, converting a tight, net front, battle into a goal to bring the team within one. Penalties from both teams began to set a familiar tone with the parade to the box continuing with some regularity through the remainder of the game but Player found himself in the right place at the right time to snipe home a beautiful goal off a feed from Bailey timing the game at 3 and heading into the second intermission.
Vanderwoerd opened the third period with a beautiful, unassisted, end to end rush while shorthanded to put Guelph ahead 4-3 and set the standard for a dominant third period. Howden quickly followed up on Vanderwoerd's efforts with another goal, to pull the team ahead by two but the lead was quickly halved by Woolwich on a defensive miscue in our own end. Vowing to make good on the breakdown, a sizzling slapshot from the point by Hanna was deftly tipped by King to regain a two goal lead. This was followed by Player's second goal of the evening finding the back of the net off another feed from Bailey. Martin sealed the evening with his second to close the game out with an 8-4 win over the Wildcats.
Woolwich will welcome the Gryphons to St. Jacobs in March for the back end of the double header and will, no doubt, be looking for retribution.
Let's goooo Gryphons, building on an absolutely incredible performance this season.