Gryphon women suffer first loss in almost three months
LONDON – The second-ranked Guelph Gryphons saw their OUA women’s hockey winning streak come to an end at 14 games Saturday when they were handed a 3-1 setback by the host Western Mustangs at Western’s Thompson Arena.
It was the first loss for the Gryphs since they were edged 1-0 in overtime by the Laurier Golden Hawks at the Gryphon Centre Nov. 17. It was the first loss in regulation time since they were beaten 4-1 by the Waterloo Warriors at Waterloo Oct. 29.
Saturday, Western scored twice in the second period and once early in the third while Rylee Davison scored for the Gryphs with just over two and a half minutes to go in the game. Katherine Heard and Grace Vokes assisted on the play.
It was an A scoring attack for Western as the scorers, with one goal apiece, were Alyssa Wouda, Arnica Bulmer and Avry Pedersen. Assists were awarded to Madelaine DesRosiers, Adeline Kristoff, Janique LaBossiere, Elizabeth Gauthier and Haylie Kirkpatrick.
Guelph outshot Western 30-25. The Mustangs went 1-for-6 on their power play while the Gryphs were scoreless on three power plays. Sophie Helfenstein had 22 saves for Guelph while Ella Brabrook had 29 for Western.
At 19-3-2-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L), the Gryphs have clinched first place in the OUA West. They’re followed by the Waterloo Warriors at 14-3-2-7, Laurier Golden Hawks at 9-3-3-11, Windsor Lancers at 9-1-5-11, Western at 7-4-3-12 and Brock Badgers at 8-1-4-13.
The Gryphs have two home games at the Gryphon Centre remaining on their regular-season schedule as they’re to host Windsor both Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Gryphon Centre.
- Guelph Sports Journal