Прес-релізи

The Guelph Gryphons deemed revenge on Sunday after they were embarrassed at home on Saturday by the Kitchener Canucks. 630 Gryphon fans flocked to The Gryphon Nest to witness a preview of a potential III.7 final. However, they did not like what they witnessed. Perhaps the most embarrassing loss of the season, the Gryphons dropped the game 7-0 against the Canucks. They were outshot 40-19 and were badly out-classed. Their discipline was atrocious as they took 8 penalties to their opponent's none.

The Gryphons then travelled to Kitchener where they would try and revenge the earlier night's loss with the same lineup and tactics. "We felt we had the skill to skate them into the ice. The first game we didn't put enough emphasis on the result we wanted so we made sure the lads knew that the game was important tonight. We needed retribution. Nobody comes into our barn and embarrasses our club. That is the way it has to be. Thankfully we came away with a win, even if we didn't return the lop-sided result we were hoping for" said coach Stubbs.

The Gryphons won 4-3 playing on the road limiting their opponent to roughly 10 less shots and taking half the penalties. "I felt our effort was much better tonight. They really opened our eyes this weekend. We cannot simply go into the playoffs expecting everything to fall into our lap. It just doesn't work like that. We wanted to get more pucks to the net, create more chances and remind them who they embarrassed the night earlier. I don't really think we accomplished that" said assistant coach Jon Cole. " We must be more disciplined not just on the ice, but as individuals and a team. We need to really buy into our systems and make a commitment to the plan. If there is one positive that we can take away from this weekend is our desperation in the third period. I thought we battled hard in the third to get the win. We were down 2-1 heading into the third and scored 3 goals to get the win. I'm pleased about our conviction."

Having a closer look at the III.7 standings, it would appear that the top 8 teams have been mathematically clinched. Team Kevin and tomatos sit tied for 7th at 64 points a solid 7 points up on Bélisarius with only 2 games remaining. With two games remaining the Gryphons will either face Team Kevin, tomatos or the Booze Hounds in the first round.

"Obviously there are some clubs we'd prefer to play over others. tomatos is a great skating club and improving every day. We would prefer to face Team Kevin in the first round should things go our way. Obviously that sounds counter-intuitive seeing as they caused us some trouble earlier in the season, but have been sliding down the standings ever since their amazing bolt up the standings at the start of the season. Team Kevin visits tomatos on Monday and that could likely be the deciding factor if we will face them or not" stated manager Mark Clode.

As far as the rest of the top 8 are concerned, the really only other question (aside from the order of teams 6-8) is who will finish with the last home ice spot. Spitfires de Windsor is one point up on Bras meurtris for 4th spot. Both teams have relatively light schedules to round out the season.

With the Gryphons finishing first and (providing they don't self-destruct) the Kitchener Canucks finishing 2nd, that will mean the two can only faceoff in the playoff finals. Better yet, the Gryphons avoid the likes of NORDIKS as well unless they reach the finals.

"Clearly we hope for some upsets in the first round. If someone can knock off the Canucks or NORDIKS that would do us a great deed but we have to make our own fortune. No matter what the outcome of the other three first round matchups, we will have to face a much tougher opponent come the second round. Be it the likes of the Spitfires or otherwise, nothing is set in stone. The first round even for that matter. We can be pleased with our effort this season however. Our hard work, dedication and consistency in the season has provided us the best opportunity to succeed in the playoffs. We just have to continue our strong play" said assistant manager Julien Connelly.

The Gryphons travel to play the 14th placed patriotes on Monday and will end off the season with a home game against the last placed Team noname 12870. Playoff tickets will go on sale after that game. Come out and support your Gryphons in their quest for II.2. Cheer in Matthew Kennedy as he looks to solidify his league lead in goals and points. The Gryphon Nest is nearly finished renovations and will be rockin' come playoff time.

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