Gryphons take down defending McCaw Cup champs Western 3-0 to open season
Guelph, ON - Beginning a regular season schedule against a bitter rival coming off of a national championship can be daunting. For the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team, their home opener against the Western Mustangs came with some understandable nerves. But it was also a chance to start the OUA season off right, as well an opportunity to exorcise demons against their nemesis from London. The Gryphons did just that with a resounding 3-0 victory over Western at the Gryphon Centre Saturday afternoon.
Guelph, ON - Beginning a regular season schedule against a bitter rival coming off of a national championship can be daunting. For the Guelph Gryphons women's hockey team, their home opener against the Western Mustangs came with some understandable nerves. But it was also a chance to start the OUA season off right, as well an opportunity to exorcise demons against their nemesis from London. The Gryphons did just that with a resounding 3-0 victory over Western at the Gryphon Centre Saturday afternoon.
Karli Shell, Kelly Gribbons and Katherine Bailey scored for the hosts, while standout goaltender Stephanie Nehring made 26 saves for the shutout. Gribbons, a third-year forward from Port Elgin, ON, also added a pair of assists.
Western looked very much like the team that won the national championship with an aggressive opening road period. The Mustangs pressed and pounced on a few U of G giveaways that almost proved costly the but Nehring, a fifth-year senior and last season's OUA goals against leader (1.18), bailed the Gryphons out with key saves.
Guelph settled down and began to create more chances before finally breaking through at 11:23 of the first period when Shell banged home a rebound to the right of Western goalie Kelly Campbell.
Both teams started fast in the second, exchanging good scoring opportunities, but U of G padded the lead late in the frame. Gribbons scored unassisted, lifting one past Campbell at 16:42.
Bailey, who was solid throughout the game, added a third on the power play when her point shot beat Campbell.
The Gryphons are back to action Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 pm when they host the Ryerson Rams.
Source: Guelph Grypons
