Game Summary
The Warrior men's hockey team saw overtime for the second straight night this time coming away with the two points, clipping the Guelph Gryphons 5-4 on Saturday night for their fifth win of the season.
Rookie defender
Jeff Einhorn's (Red Deer) first goal as a Warrior was a big one as he scored the overtime winner on a one-timer halfway though overtime to give Waterloo the win and put a halt to their three game losing streak. With the win Waterloo improved to 5-3-1 while Guelph dropped to 2-4-3.
Waterloo opened the game with a goal by
Josh Schappert (Winnipeg/) just over four minutes into the game, with assists going to
Kirt Hill (Winnipeg/) and Einhorn. Guelph was able to respond at the 12 minute mark with a goal by Zachary Lillie to even the scoring at 1-1. Andrew Merrett and Patrick Campbell picked up assists on the goal.
Guelph continued to put the pressure on the Warriors with another goal just past the five minute mark of the first. Cale Jefferies put the Gryphon's up 2-1 with his power-play goal, assisted by Merrett and Justin Gvora. Lillie capped the high scoring first quarter on a nice breakaway shot with seven seconds remaining, with helpers going to Merrett and Kris Belan.
The second period saw Waterloo bounce back quickly, with their first two shots end in goals. Hill scored his first of the game just 38 seconds into the period, with assists going to
Joe Underwood (Canton/) and Smith. Ray netted his first of the game just three minutes later, helped by defensemen
Greg Steffes (Amherstburg/) and Underwood, tying the game at 3-3.
Guelph answered back with a goal by Captain Belan with 12 minutes remaining in the second period to put the Gryphon's back on top 4-3. Merrett and Lillie both picked up assists on the score. Waterloo closed scoring in the second with a goal by
Justin Larson (Buckhorn/) to tie the game at 4-4 entering the fourth, with assists going to
Tyler Moir (Calgary/) and Schappert.
Neither team could continue its scoring ways in the third, as both teams turned up the defence to keep the other at bay. It looked like Waterloo might snag a last second goal on a breakaway opportunity, but Gryphon goalie Cody St. Jacques made the impressive save to send the game into overtime.
With the open ice available in overtime, both teams had a number a scoring opportunities, but Waterloo was able to take advantage with fine puck movement ending in Einhorn's winner. For the game, Waterloo mustered 34 shots on net, compared to 28 by the Gryphon's with
Keaton Hartigan (Kitchener/) picking up the win on his 24 saves.
Waterloo travels to York on Thursday, November 10 before returning home for a three game home stand in mid November.