On Saturday Jan. 29, the Guelph Gryphons (8-12-5) faced off against the York Lions (12-9-4) at the Gryphons Center. This was the second of a home and home set seeing York win 2-1 in overtime Thursday night.

Guelph’s Cody St Jacques made 35 saves in the win, while York’s Andrew Perugini saved 21 of 24 shots.

Guelph came out of the gates flying, scoring a quick goal just 6:20 into the game with Scott Collins  scoring his first of two on the night with an assist coming from captain Kristafer Belan. The period was hard fought by both teams seeing the aggressive play escalate as time went on. Guelph got into some early penalty trouble, but their penalty kill was exceptional, going a perfect four for four while shorthanded.

With 3:11 left in the first period, York tied up the game with a nice wrist-shot from the faceoff dot by Mark Cross beating St Jacques below the blocker. The goal was assisted by Ryan Andersen and Paul. Guelph retaliated with a quick goal with 2:50 left in the period on a two on two rush, seeing Collins tap in his second goal from a slick pass in front from Phillip Teri  beating Perugini high on the blocker side. The goals second assist came from Marco Franchini.

In the second period, York took over putting a lot of pressure on the hometown Gryphons. St Jacques was stellar making 12 saves in the scoreless period including a beautiful glove save from a slap shot taken from the top of the circle by York’s Paul Clancy. There was a scary moment late in the period with York’s Jeremie Perron throwing an illegal hit to the head of Guelph’s Scott Collins. Perron was given a 10 minute major and a 2 minute penalty which was served by Bryan Weinberg.

The third period saw the aggressive play continue early on with York pressing hard to tie up the game. Guelph got into more penalty trouble when Michael Kusy tripped York’s captain Jesse Messier on a partial breakaway. It appeared that the Guelph goaltender had been shaken up, but he was back to his great play seeing another amazing glove save coming from a wrist shot from York’s Chad Hohmann.

Guelph put a stop to York’s momentum at 12:35, with a goal from Barrett Brook  who scored on a nice pass in front by Franchini from a rebound on a shot taken by defenseman Ken Peroff.

York would score one more with 7:24 left in the period with a goal from Jesse Messier who put on a great individual effort streaking down the boards, sliding the puck under St Jacques, but that’s as close as they came.

Despite the strong pressure put on in the second and third period by York, a two goal performance by Collins and stellar goaltending throughout by St Jacques was ultimately the difference in giving Guelph the win.

“We started out flat-footed but picked it up in the second and third period. We were pressing hard near the end, but couldn’t tie it u,” said York rookie Bryan Weinberg after the game.

Guelph returns to the ice on Saturday Feb. 4 with a home game against the eight place Laurier Golden Hawks (7-14-1).

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