The Warriors delivered another impressive comeback performance on Friday night at Columbia Icefield Arena, overcoming a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat the Guelph Gryphons 4–3 in overtime. Led by a game-winning goal from Cory Jewitt (Clinton, ONT/St Annes Catholic Secondary School) and a strong offensive push late in regulation, the Warriors scored three unanswered goals to secure a thrilling victory in front of 110 fans.
The opening period saw Waterloo establish an early offensive presence, generating several scoring opportunities and outshooting Guelph 15–8. Despite the Warriors' pressure, Guelph goaltender Olivier Ciarlo stood tall, keeping Waterloo off the scoreboard. The Warriors also earned an early power-play opportunity following a hooking penalty to Nathan Allensen at 4:57 but were unable to capitalize. At the other end, Mathias Onuska (Waterloo, ONT/Ressurection) remained steady between the pipes, turning aside all eight Guelph shots to send both teams into the first intermission tied 0–0.
Guelph broke through midway through the second period when Nolan DeGurse opened the scoring at 9:14, assisted by Justin Barker. Waterloo responded at 15:10 when Jordan Hendry (White Rock, BC/Elgin Park Secondary) found the back of the net off assists from Kyle Morey (Kitchener, ONT/Victus Academy) and Braeden O'Keefe (Niagara Falls, ONT/Ancaster High School), tying the game at 1–1. However, the Gryphons quickly regained momentum after Waterloo was assessed two penalties in succession, giving Guelph a two-man advantage. At 16:48, Nathan Allensen capitalized on the power play, scoring off an assist from Nolan Dann to restore the Gryphons' lead. Despite Waterloo's efforts to respond, Guelph carried a 2–1 advantage into the second intermission.
The third period delivered plenty of excitement as both teams continued to battle for control. Guelph extended its lead at 9:30 when Dylan Hudon capitalized on another power-play opportunity, assisted by Julien Gervais, putting the Gryphons ahead 3–1. However, Waterloo refused to back down and began mounting its comeback. Following a hooking penalty to Guelph's Marcus Lougheed, the Warriors capitalized on the man advantage at 12:03 when Owen Aura (Kamloops, BC/Norkam) scored off assists from O'Keefe and Jewitt, cutting the deficit to one. Just over a minute and a half later, Morey found the back of the net with an unassisted goal at 13:39, completing the comeback and tying the game at 3–3. Neither team could find the winner in the remaining minutes of regulation, sending the contest into overtime.
The Warriors carried their momentum into the extra frame, continuing to generate offensive opportunities while looking to complete the comeback. At 5:49 of overtime, Jewitt delivered the decisive moment, scoring off an assist from Caden Kelly (Mississauga, ONT/The Hill Academy) to secure a dramatic 4–3 victory for Waterloo.
Jewitt and Morey led the Warriors offensively with a goal and an assist each, while O'Keefe contributed two assists in the victory. Between the pipes, Onuska delivered another strong performance, stopping 31 of 34 shots to earn the win. Waterloo maintained consistent offensive pressure throughout the contest, outshooting Guelph 44–34. The Warriors also converted on one of their four power-play opportunities, overcoming two Guelph power-play goals to secure a hard-fought overtime victory on home ice.
