Gryphons win Game 1 of OUA divisional semifinals with 5-3 victory over Rams
GUELPH, ON - The Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team knew they would be in for a battle in the opening game of their OUA West Semi-final against the talented Ryerson Rams. But it was the Gryphons who showcased their offensive skills. Seth Swenson scored twice, including the game winner, lifting Guelph to a big 5-3 win over the Rams for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
GUELPH, ON - The Guelph Gryphons men's hockey team knew they would be in for a battle in the opening game of their OUA West Semi-final against the talented Ryerson Rams. But it was the Gryphons who showcased their offensive skills. Seth Swenson scored twice, including the game winner, lifting Guelph to a big 5-3 win over the Rams for a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
A big crowd at Gryphon Centre Arena was treated to a memorable playoff performance that turned into a nail biter when Ryerson's Michael Fine scored two third-period goals just 74 seconds apart. So Guelph would need every bit of the three-goal lead it built thanks to some incredible finishing around the net.
"They're a very skilled team and they played hard throughout the game," head coach Shawn Camp said of the tenacious Rams. "That's what we expected."
Rob De Fulviis and Swenson each scored to make it 2-0 before Ryerson got one back in the second period. But Cody Thompson would then provide the highlight of the night.
The rookie winger from Mississauga absolutely undressed a Ryerson defenceman and made a quick move on goalie Troy Passingham before roofing a shot just under the crossbar at 18:40 of the second period, which gave Guelph a 3-1 cushion heading into the third.
Swenson added his second of the night, the eventual winner, just 1:29 into the third in a manner that proved to be a theme for the Gryphons. Playing on a line with Stephen Hiff and Lenny Fabbri, the second-year winger from Parker, Colorado waited out Passingham and tucked a shot behind him.
That's how the Gryphons scored all night -- with patience.
"We got the first one and it seemed like he (Passingham) committed to the first move," said Swenson. "We just kept rolling with that. We have some skilled players, like Cody Thompson. He didn't have that planned but it was great."
"It feels great, it's very gratifying," Swenson added of scoring a couple in a big game. "Every shift counts. But the best success is team success."
Guelph's Achilles heel proved to be a lack of discipline and subsequently, an ineffective penalty kill. Ryerson scored twice on the power play, the second coming at 7:57 of the third period when Fine set up in the right circle and unleashed a top-shelf blast that Andrew D'Agostini had no chance on. Fine would add another just 1:14 later, trimming the Guelph lead to 4-3.
The Rams were 2-for-6 on the man advantage.
"We gave them too many power play opportunities and when we do that, they're skilled enough they're gonna score," said Camp. "They don't need our help."
Seth Swenson scoring 1 of his 2 goals on the night
D'Agositini made 26 saves. After allowing Fine's two goals in the third, he stood firm as Ryerson pushed until the end with an extra attacker on for Passingham. Kyle Neuber would add an empty-netter with seconds remaining to cap the scoring.
De Fulviis got the hosts on the board with a spectacular unassisted effort. The third-year forward took a hit near the boards but got right up, stole the puck from a Ryerson defenceman and waited until Passingham committed before roofing one at 18:03.
Guelph doubled the lead at 8:12 of the second period. Swenson gathered a puck that was bouncing around in the slot and flipped a backhander into an open net after Passingham went to the ice. Hiff and Fabbri assisted.
Swenson's goal was big because Ryerson would cash in on a power-play opportunity a few minutes later. Mitch Gallant unloaded a point shot that Mitchell Theoret skillfully deflected past a helpless D'Agostini.
"We've had some lines that have had great chemistry together," Camp said of the Fabbri, Hiff, Swenson trio. "Despite moving guys in and out of the lineup with injuries, it's been really good to see that guys are clicking together right away at the most critical time of the year.
"It was a good line together. A little bit of everything. Fabbri distributes the puck real well, wins face offs. Hiff has great speed and Swenson's a scorer."
The Gryphons will hope to keep that scoring touch when these two teams square off again in less than 24 hours with Game 2 of the series set for Friday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto.
NOTES
- Game 2 of the series (Friday night in Toronto) can be seen by viewers in the Guelph area on Rogers TV Cable 20 with a tape delayed airing that will start immediately following the Kitchener Rangers-Guelph Storm game. The game can also be seen live online at www.OUA.tv
Source: Guelph Gryphons
Team Stats
| Game Statistics | Ryerson | Guelph |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 2 for 6 | 0 for 2 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 3 (14) | 6 (12) |
| Shots on Goal | 30 | 34 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
| Game Statistics | Ryerson | Guelph |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 2 for 6 | 0 for 2 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 3 (14) | 6 (12) |
| Shots on Goal | 30 | 34 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
