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The Guelph Gryphons lost both games this weekend. The Gryphs lost Saturday's home game 3-2 with Morrissey and Roach picking up the goals in front of a home crowd of 884. They then traveled to Poland for the rematch where they were dropped with Alsford and Roach picking up the goals in front of 649 polish fans.

The losses came as the Gryphons rested their big guns for the playoff stretch and gave some new faces as well as some old faces, a last chance to impress before the final couple weeks of the season.

Polish president and CEO Miednic said (via translator):"The first game was very difficult I think we are a little lucky to have won. The second game was a bit easier considering we were playing at home. I am still unhappy though, I am still trying to get decide on a number 1 goalie, but neither have been able to take the bull by the horns. I hope to arrange further matches with canucks357 in the near future."

Sunday's game also marked what is likely the last game for three original Gryphon players, as their services have been put up for bid and have all received qualifying offers. A deal was struck between the Gryphons and the Elk River Wizards for qualifying bids on the services of Joe Keen, Phillipe Parent and Willy Jacques that guaranteed their sale and transfer from the club.

Defenceman Joe Keen has played 66 competitive games for the Gryphons, totaling 30 points (including 19 games and 10 points this season). Keen has been a steady defensive presence for the Gryphons but his services can be better utilized elsewhere. With the likes of Bystrík Borkovics, Gord Ferdinand and Chris Martindale training and playing really well, the 20 year old's future has been up in the air for some time. "Joe is a fantastic player and it is really sad to see him leave. He is not the weakest defenceman in our squad by any stretch, in fact, he is one of the most defensively sound players on the squad. With our roster constantly growing this often leads to some tough decisions for management to make. The decision to unload Keen is one made based on financial reasons. Keen is a player with a lot of experience and wherever he ends up he will make the players around him and the team better" said manager Mark Clode.

Also on the out is forward Phillipe Parent. Is an offensively gifted winger with a knack for getting dirty in the corners. He has 1 point in three competitive games this year and 16 points in 31 competitive games in his career. The decision to sell Parent came with the ever growing number of young talented forwards on the reserve squad. It has been rumoured for some time that he would be on the way out. The 16 year old parent has a rather hefty contract for a reserve player and while his experience thus far is attractive, the potential of other reserve players will limit his playing time down the road. "Parent has been a professional and has not become disgruntled with his diminished role. He has been a class act and everyone at the Gryphon organization wishes him all the best in his future career" said Clode.

Last on the list of the way out is Willy Jacques. Willy has scored 5 goals and 2 assists in 14 competitive games in his career in Guelph. Willy has a great offensive eye and a really heavy shot. His skating and hesitancy to get his nails dirty in the corners has kept him out of the main squad this entire season. "Given the right scenario Wills will be a dominant offensive sniper. There is no doubt in my mind about it. However, we are a two-way team and pride ourselves on our defensive play and our commitment to doing whatever it takes to win. Willy will score some goals, that is for sure, but his days on the Gryphons have come to an end and we hope he can become the complete player we wanted him to be" said Clode on the last of the three players to be dealt.

In other exciting news, the Gryphons have announced that they have acquired LW #69 Amos Bonin from Polish HC Wacki for a modest $20k. "Bonin is a player with fantastic up-side. His skills right now are far inferior to the rest of the players on the team, but he understands that. He is a very dedicated athlete and has remarkable potential. He has the potential to be a remarkable 2-way winger. He currently has a very well developed shot and the potential to make opposing players hate going into the corners. We are very excited to welcome young Amos to the family. We have lots of patience for the young man and cannot wait to see him grow and develop into the player we know he can be.

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They Gryphons play out the remaining 5 games over the next week and a half. They play their last 2 home games on the next two Wednesdays. They travel to Quebec on Monday to face the 9th place Bélisarius who are fighting hard for a playoff spot.

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