ST. CATHARINES – The Brock Badgers men's hockey team earned their third consecutive win defeating the Guelph Gryphons 7-3 at Canada Games Park on Sunday afternoon.
Facing a tough task of three games in four days to conclude the first half of the OUA season, Brock was in fine form outscoring their opponents 16-9 over the three victories. The Badgers 11-4 record heading into the winter break places them in third place in the OUA West division.
A physical first period, the Badgers jumped out to a quick two goal lead as
Justin Brack notched his second shorthanded goal of the season, followed shorty after by
Matthew O'Brien's first career OUA marker. Guelph were able to score just before the intermission to make it a 2-1 Brock lead heading into the break.
The Badgers then exploded for four goals in the second period as they were able to take advantage of an undisciplined Gryphons team. Three of the four Brock goals were powerplay markers coming off the sticks of
Adam Berg,
Tyler Burnie, and
Zachary Taylor. The Badgers as a whole have been effective with the man-advantage ranking fourth in the province in powerplay percentage, currently converting on 23 percent of their powerplay opportunities. As well, with an assist on Burnie's powerplay tally,
Jacob Roach moved into a tie for fifth in the OUA for points this season finishing the fall semester with six goals and 12 assists for 18 total points. Burnie also added an even strength goal to round out second period scoring for Brock.
Entering the final 20 minutes, the Badgers found themselves in some penalty trouble of their own, but some great penalty-killing from
Tyler Rollo and
Max-Antoine Melancon helped keep the Gryphons at-bay. As the clock continued to tick down, Guelph did eventually break through adding a pair of third period goals, but a final empty-netter from Burnie to complete his hat-trick and mark his fifth goal in two games secured the victory for Brock.
Badgers starting goalie
Mario Peccia finished the night with 22 total saves, including a string of three spectacular pad saves early in the first period.
Brock returns to the ice in the new year challenging the Laurier Golden Hawks at Canada Games Park on Friday, Jan. 6. Puck drop for the first home game of the second half of the season is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at brocku.universitytickets.com while the game is also available to stream online via OUA.TV.
BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 15-5-1 (W-L-OTL)
Conference Record: 11-4-0
Next game: Friday, Jan. 6 vs Laurier Golden Hawks • 6 PM - Canada Games Park
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