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The Guelph Gryphons have continued their winning ways of late, winning all four games since the last installment of Gryph News. On Thursday the Gryphons defeated the visiting Halifax Eagles by a score of 6-1. Over 1,400 fans flocked to the rink to see a familiar opponent in action.

On Friday the Gryphons would travel down Highway 7 to Kitchener to face the Canucks. The arch rival of the Gryphons knocked them off in the III.7 finals only to have the Gryphons win the promotion round and take the II.2 league title. Now the Gryphons had the Canucks on the ropes and were looking to secure a birth in the finals. A sold out KW Place was on hand as the Gryphons took a 4-0 lead after the first period. They would continue to trap and counter attack their opponent winning the game with a score of 5-0 and eliminating the Canucks' hopes at playing in the top league next season. Bob Parent of the Canucks gave up an uncharacteristic 4 goals on 9 shots in the first and was pulled. Tim Newton stopped all 19 shots he faced. The scoring for the Gryphons was spread around as only Antoine Slater had a multi-point game.

"I am pleased that we are advancing. It was our goal all along to earn a birth in the finals. We worked hard all year to secure home ice advantage for this round. Now we must simply wait and see who we will face on Tuesday" said Head Coach Stubbs. The Gryphons will host the winner of the Vanucks and Foes on Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets for game 1 and (if needed) game 3 are already sold out.

Due to the remarkable demand for tickets, Gryphons fans have been flocking to exhibition games to see their favourite team. On Saturday and Sunday the Gryphons hosted the Stoney Creek Saints. The Saints made the trip up Highway 6 to face the Gryphons and would be dropped 5-2 and 7-2 in each game. Between the games an average of 1,750 fans were on hand, including a near sell out on Sunday.

"I think it is great to see such support from the community. The team is really coming along nicely and playing very well. I am very proud of them. I am even more pleased with the admiration the club has been getting from the fans. We take pride in our community and want to give back as much as we can. I think they are starting to know now what it feels like to be part of the Gryphon family" said Manager Clode.

The Gryphons will host the Brampton Capitals on Monday before starting the II.2 finals on Tuesday.

In transaction news, a major face-lift is underway for the Gryphons. There are currently 9 players and 2 staff members undergoing market negotiations. The biggest name of them is defenceman Bystrík Borkovics. Borkovics has been with the team for over a season now and has developed into a very good stay-at-home defenceman. He has immense potential but has been side-lined out of the lineup due to the great depth along the Gryphon blueline. Bystrík Borkovics played in all but 7 league games this season 17 points in 44 career competitive games as a Gryphon with a +25 rating.

On their way in are Juraj Biro, Filip Matys and Michel Eenhorts whose combined ticket was just under one million. All players come with heaps of potential. "We really like what we have seen from these kids. They are still young and have a bright future. We will focus our attention on them the next week or so before we decide what role they will fill with the team. Their offensive and defensive mentality is balance so as a management group we will see where they sit" said Mark Clode.

The Gryphons are apparently not done either. The Gryphons apparently have 34 players with bids on them in the market. Surely this may create some unrest with the team. "Actually we are professionals. The management group said some of the B-squad would be on their way out. We have to accept that. As much as we are a family this is a business as well. If moving bodies around is going to make us a better team, I am all for it. Clode and company told the A-squad that everyone was safe until playoffs were over. There is no need for alarm for those of us playing in the finals next week" said Captain Guy Richard.

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