Marquee Matchup: Gryphons look to avenge last year’s shootout loss to Laurier in sixth Frosty Mug meeting
Guelph, Ont. – They are two of the most highly anticipated words in the OUA sport calendar, and this Thursday, hockey fans can once again cheer loud and proud at the Sleeman Centre for the latest edition of the iconic Frosty Mug. The off-campus contest, now in its 11th year, will once again feature the visiting Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks facing off against the host Guelph Gryphons, a matchup that has now been featured six times, and should bring plenty of intrigue to the ice on January 23 as this week’s OUA Marquee Matchup.
Prior to their 2019 meeting, the head-to-head in this Frosty Mug rivalry had been quite one-sided, with the Gryphons picking up wins in the previous four meetings, including back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018. Laurier was able to turn the tables a year ago; however, doling out a tightly contested 3-2 shootout loss to the hosts in front of a record-setting crowd to earn their first win in the Frosty Mug history books and bringing Guelph’s overall record to 6-3-1.
Last year’s hero, Anthony Sorrentino (Woodbridge, Ont.), who scored the lone goal of the shootout to earn his side the win, will look to bring a spark to the team once again, and will be joined by all but one of Laurier’s Frosty Mug point-getters from a year ago in their bid for a second straight win. But beyond last year’s key contributors, the purple and gold will also be flying high with another pair of producers up front.
One such individual is the team’s leading scorer, Anthony Conti. The North Vancouver, B.C. native tops the Golden Hawks’ roster with 23 points (11 G, 12 A) through 22 games played, which already makes it a career-year for the veteran. The fifth-year forward also knows how to step up against some of the league’s top talent, as he registered a hat-trick against Ryerson just a couple weeks ago; a feat that would go a long way towards balancing the all-time Frosty Mug results on Thursday.
While several Hawks have already tried their hand at this particular marquee matchup, one of the top Gryphons will get his first taste on Thursday. After watching last year’s festivities from the stands while awaiting his eligibility to clear, Mikkel Aagaard is ready to suit up and continue what has been an electrifying start to his OUA career. The Frederikshavn, Denmark native, who has represented his country five times – including three World Juniors appearances – burst onto the university scene during last year’s playoffs with 16 points in nine games and has continued that torrid pace in his first full campaign. Aagaard currently sits 2nd in conference scoring with 35 points (18 G, 17 A) and is a proven threat to impact the game each time he takes the ice.
Much of the same can be said for Ryan Valentini (Mississauga, Ont.), who has matched his teammate point for point this season. The reigning OUA Athlete of the Week sits tied atop the Guelph roster with 35 points (14 G, 21 A) and has been a lynchpin in the offensive attack since he first suited up for the Gryphons a year ago. The second-year forward has registered 48 points in 35 games played and shows no signs of slowing down after racking up a six-point weekend heading into the Frosty Mug puck drop.
Valentini isn’t the only player on a hot streak entering play on Thursday; however, as Laurier also boasts a streaking scorer of their own. Currently fourth on the roster in points (13), Kyle Jenkins (Brampton, Ont.) has been lighting it up for the high-flying Hawks of late thanks to a recent five-game point streak. While that streak was snapped on Saturday against Toronto, the junior is still well-positioned to attain a new career-best in points, as he is now just two back of his all-time mark set a year ago.
A strong performance against Guelph could be enough to do just that for Jenkins, but more importantly, could be a continued catalyst in the team’s winning ways. Laurier has been soaring up the standings in the second half, picking up wins in six of their last eight and if they want to fulfill their goals of improving on last season and making a lengthy playoff run, picking up their seventh win in nine tries would be a momentous step in the right direction.
Such a result is certainly not out of the question, because while Guelph comes in with the better record – playing to a 13-5-5 clip so far this season – they haven’t been able to solve their divisional foes of late. Not only did the Hawks (9-10-2) find Frosty Mug success a year ago, but they also scored the win in their second 2018-19 meeting, as well as their most recent encounter earlier this season thanks to a 4-2 decision in October. With another Queen’s Cup appearance on Guelph’s minds this season, therefore, bucking this recent trend against the rival Golden Hawks in one of university sport’s biggest events is certainly at the top of the to-do list to power their final five regular season games.
Expectations for both sides will be high heading into this OUA Marquee Matchup, especially within the already sold-out Sleeman Centre. After an event record of 4,850 fans a year ago – the third largest attendance ever record for an OUA men’s hockey conference game – the 11th edition of the annual affair is sure to be another must-see event for the packed house.
For those who won’t be in attendance, all the action can be seen live on oua.tv on Thursday, January 23, with puck drop set for 7:00pm.
