Tiskové zprávy

The Guelph Gryphons finished off the month of January with a strong weekend performance. Over the 31 games, the Gryphons skated to a record of 36-3-2 (W-L-T) in both league, tournament, cup and exhibition play. Last weekend, the Gryphons won both games against the Brampton Capitals with scores of 5-1 and 5-3. The Gryphons followed it up with a 6-1 win over HK Josavica in league play and continued the roll with a National Cup win over HC SJ NB 7-2 and a league win over Shyva 3-1. Thursday they would face swiss outfit HC Ajoie, who is managed by a friend of canucks357, and would secure a convincing 11-1 win. After the game however, it was released that Ian Garnett would be out for considerable time with an undisclosed injury.

Dr. Dale McLeary stated "Mr. Garnett has to undergo a minor procedure. This will likely keep him out of action for a couple weeks. Right now we want to get his health back up and get him back into game shape. I cannot disclose the type of injury but it will take some time and care to nurse him back to health." Garnett has been on fire this season leading the league in GAA, sv% and SOs among qualifying active goaltenders.

The injury to Garnett means that Tim Newton would be back in the starters role after being dropped from the national team's starting lineup. His first taste of action would come Friday when the Gryphons faced the Vancouver Vanucks. The Vanucks would skate away with a convincing, and many would say shocking, 7-2 win. Newton gave up 5 goals on 27 shots before being replaced in the third by František Levý.

"Clearly I'm not happy with my performance today but it had been awhile since I last saw action. I'm not trying to make excuses but it does take awhile, ask any goaltender, to get into a groove and find your rhythm" said Newton after the loss.

Newton would start on Saturday against a familiar Italian club, My Alleghe Stars. Newton would be better in that game winning 4-3 but would really shine on Sunday when the Gryphons defeated Les Ficelles Picardes 4-2 and he made 31 saves on the 33 shots he faced.

"I felt much better out there. I've been feeling better every day. It has been a bit of a whirl wind season for me so far but I want to get it back under control and really start to run with the starting job again. Obviously you never want to see a good quality player and great guy like Garnett go down with an injury but it gave me a shot to re-prove myself out there and I must run with it" said Newton. "We have a great team and there is never a more important time in our schedule then now."

The Gryphons will host the Vancouver Giants in a critical Monday matchup followed by Endliner in the round of 16 of the National Cup. The Gryphons remain in 1st in II.2 5 points up on Classic and 7 points up on Incredible Foes. The Vancouver Vanucks and Vancouver Giants are followed closely behind 8 and 10 points back with 11 games remaining.

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