Rams defeat Guelph for first road win
GUELPH, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams improved their record to 3-2 on the season, with a controlling 4-2 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Thursday night. The Rams are now 2-0 against the Gryphons and with the victory, picked up their first road win of the year.
GUELPH, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams improved their record to 3-2 on the season, with a controlling 4-2 win over the Guelph Gryphons on Thursday night. The Rams are now 2-0 against the Gryphons and with the victory, picked up their first road win of the year.
Troy Passingham made his third start of the season for the Rams, who entered Thursday's game against the Gryphons allowing two goals in as many games for a 1.33 goals against average (GAA). Passingham was a brick wall once again in this one, stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced.
It took 30 minutes of play to finally see the first goal. The Rams Jason Kelly came from behind the net and shoveled it in front to an open Daniel Clairment, who scored his second of the year to give the Rams a 1-0 lead halfway through the second.
Just under two minutes later the Rams were at it again. Erik DeLaurentis found a loose puck in the slot and let go a wicked backhand, which found its way past the glove of Gryphon starting goaltender Andrew D'Agostini for a 2-0 lead.
The floodgates looked to be wide open for the Rams when rookie defensemen Brandon Devlin beat D'Agostini short side on the power play. Devlin's third of the year was the Rams third goal in under three minutes and was also the Rams second power play goal of the season.
The Gryphons finally found the score sheet when Dylan Gilbert netted a beautiful goal four minutes into the third. Gilbert put the puck between the legs of Rams defensemen Keevin Cutting, dropped his shoulder, and rocketed a shot towards the net to beat Passingham far side. The Gilbert goal cut the lead to 3-1 and was one of the nicest goals scored so far this season.
An empty net goal scored by Joel Wigle would give the Rams a 4-1 lead, but the Gryphons wouldn't quit, making a late push with a goal from Kyle Neuber. Passingham and the Rams battled though penalty trouble late, almost killing off a full two minutes of 6-3 play before Neuber found the back of the net.
Passingham would go on to record his third win of the season to remain undefeated in his first three starts, with a 4-2 win over the defending Queens Cup champs.
The Rams travel to Ithaca, NY this weekend for an exhibition game against Cornell University. The out-of-league matchup will be a true test for the Rams on Saturday night, which will prove to be a good measuring stick between CIS and NCAA talent.
The Rams return to the CIS October 30th, at home against the York Lions. Scheduled puck drop is 7:30pm on Mattamy Home Ice.
Source: Ryerson Rams
