Gryphon hockey women win on last-minute goal

GUELPH – Nothing like going into the break for exams and Christmas with a exciting victory.

The Guelph Gryphons left it until the final minute of regulation time to score the game’s lone goal as they edged the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 1-0 in OUA women’s hockey play Saturday at the Gryphon Centre.

Reese Coffey fired a wrister in from the slot with the Gryphs playing shorthanded with 43 seconds to go in the third period. The hosts had the Ridgebacks hemmed in their own zone just before the goal. Tori Verbeek and Tiana Faccio assisted on the goal.

Sophie Helfenstein stopped 17 shots for her second shutout in four outings in her rookie season. It was her third win.

Zoe McGee had 31 saves for Ontario Tech.

The game was Guelph’s eighth game of the season to be decided by a one-goal margin. The Gryphs have won six of them. It was also the fourth 1-0 match of the season for the locals and they’ve won three of them.

The victory extended Guelph’s win streak to four games and it brought Ontario Tech’s win streak to an end at four games. Those are all the wins the Ridgebacks have recorded this season.

The Gryphs lead the OUA West at the break with a 10-2-2-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record. They’re followed by the Laurier Golden Hawks (6-3-1-4), Waterloo Warriors (6-2-1-5), Western Mustangs (5-2-1-6), Windsor Lancers (5-0-3-7) and Brock Badgers (5-0-2-7).

Ontario Tech is fourth in the OUA East at 4-1-2-8.

Next game for the Gryphs is set for Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. when they’re to tangle with the Queen’s Gaels (third in OUA East at 6-2-0-7) at Kingston’s Memorial Centre.

• Guelph Sports Journal