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WATERLOO, Ont. - The Warriors were victorious in a see-saw battle with the Guelph Gryphons in their home opener on Friday evening at the Columbia Icefield Arena winning their second game of the season 5-4.
Tyler Moir (Calgary/) scored the game winning goal with just over two minutes remaining picking up the rebound off a booming shot by Steve Whitely (Petrolia/) from the point. Moir battled for position and slid the backhand rebound past Gryphons netminder Cody St. Jacques who made 33 saves in the loss. Keaton Hartigan (Kitchener/) (2-1-0) started his third straight game and made 34 saves in the win.
The two teams exchanged goals in the first period with Kurt Thorner (St. Thomas/) opening the scoring for the Warriors and Matt Lyall notching the equalizer three minutes later. The second saw the Warriors take the lead 32 seconds into the period off the stick of Waterloo athlete of the week Jarrett Schnurr (Waterloo/), his third of the year. Captain Chris Ray (Kelowna/) added his second of the season on the power player to give Waterloo a 3-1 lead seven minutes after the Schnurr goal.
As coach Brian Bourque knows, no lead is ever safe at the CIF arena and the Gryphons proved just that. JT Macdonald cut the lead in half with his first of the season and Thomas Kirakou would complete the comeback scoring his second goal of the season to send the game into the third tied at three.
The third saw both teams fighting for every inch of the ice with hard hits and timely saves by the tenders. With Guelph's forward Lyall in the box for slashing, Schnurr would put home his second of the game and fourth on the season to put Waterloo up 4-3. Schurr now sits in fifth in OUA scoring with seven points (4g, 3a).
After the Warriors got into penalty trouble Guelph continued to battle and found the equalizer with Michael Kusy scoring his first of the young season. Following minor penalties to both team's Moir would pot the game winner playing four on four to give Waterloo their second win of the season.
Head coach Brian Bourque was honoured for his 100th CIS win prior to the game with his family and parents in attendance to celebrate his accomplishment.
The Warriors hit the ice again this evening as part of Hockey Day in Waterloo in the battle of Waterloo. Puck drop is set for 7:30 pm.
