Gryphons skate to CIS University Cup semi-final berth

(Photo by Mona Ghiz)

HALIFAX (CIS) – The Guelph Gryphons skated to a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Dinos in the first quarterfinal game of the 2015 CIS University Cup Thursday afternoon at Scotiabank Centre.

"They outplayed us for chunks of the game, but he [goaltender Andrew D'Agostini] helped save the day. We were able to push back and score some timely goals."

D'Agostini, a freshman, made 41 saves – many of the highlight-reel variety – to earn player of the game for his team.

"I have felt pretty good since Christmas," D'Agostini said, when asked about his play, which included a shutout win in the OUA Queen's Cup final.

"Our team has been riding the momentum; they have been playing fantastic and make my job much easier."

The Gryphons, OUA champions, garnered the first quality scoring opportunity of the game when defenseman Nicholas Trecapelli rang a slap shot off the goal post behind Dino starting goaltender Kris Lazaruk early in the first period.

A few minutes later, the Dinos thought they got on the board when Cain Franson re-directed a point shot behind D'Agostini, but the marker was waved off because the puck was struck with a high stick.

"Our team had a couple great shifts after that," D'Agostini noted.

Calgary also came up empty on a short-lived 5-on-3 power-play opportunity in the first 20 minutes.

With the man advantage, the Gryphons made it 1-0 late in the first period on a nifty three-way passing play, which Teal Burns completed from the slot on the doorstep of the Dinos' crease. Nicklas Huard and Trecapelli assisted on goal at 19:19.

The Dinos held a 12-8 shots-on-goal period in the first 20 minutes.

In a scoreless second period, both goaltenders made quality saves, with Calgary outshooting Guelph 13 to 10.

At the 56-second mark of the third period, Chris Collins, his team's player of the game, scored the equalizer for the Dinos on a stellar individual effort. After alluding a pair of Gryphon defenders and skating in over the blue-line, the forward beat D'Agostini with a wrist shot. Kodie Curran garnered the lone assist.

The Gryphons regained the lead with 15:09 left in the third period, when Carlos Amestoy jumped on a Dino turnover and walked in over the blue-line before beating Lazaruk with a blast just inside the goal post. The goal was unassisted.

With less than four minutes remaining, at the 16:57 mark, Seth Swenson notched an insurance marker. From the doorstep, he beat Lazaruk with a backhander from in tight. Huard and Burns, who both had two points in the game, contributed the helpers.

"We knew we were playing a very good team, with a very good goalie," Dino head coach Mark Howell said after the game.

Dino captain Kevin King said his team "peppered" D'Agostini with shots.

"But we couldn't find the back of the net," he added.

Howell, who said his team made too many turnovers, credited the Gryphons for their victory.

For the game, the Gryphons were one-for-four on the power-play, while the Dinos were scoreless on four chances with the man advantage.

With the loss, the Dinos are eliminated from the tournament.

With the win, the Gryphons advance to face the Windsor Lancers (No. 7) or UNB Varsity Reds (No. 2) in one CIS University Cup semi-final, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 14. Puck drop is set for noon at Scotiabank Centre. 

Source: CIS