The Windsor Lancers ended 2019 on a tough note, dropping their first semester finale to the Guelph Gryphons 3-2 Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss is the Lancers' second in as many days and drops the blue and gold to 12-5 on the year. Despite the loss the Lancers are still in good shape for the OUA west division sitting in second place heading into the break. 
 
GAME STATS
Jonathan Reinhart stood on his head, making 39 saves on 42 shots. Guelph's Brenden Cregen made 18 saves on 20 shots.
 
Anthony Salinitri scored his seventh goal of the season.
 
Trent Fox led the Lancers in points with a goal and an assist. Guelph's Marc Stevens led the game in points with two goals and an assist.
 
GAME FLOW
The Blue and Gold got out to a rough start, taking an early penalty. The Gryphons couldn't score on the powerplay but shortly after Marc Stevens put the visitors up 1-0, beating Reinhart though traffic at the 8:22 mark of the first period. Immediately after the Lancers were called for two penalties giving the Gryphons a full 2:00 5-on-3. Stevens beat Reinhart again on a perfectly set up 2-on-1. Fortunately for the Lancers, they played fairly mistake free into the intermission trailing only 2-0.
 
The second period was all blue and gold as the Lancers answered an uninspiring first period with two early back to back goals. First, Fox snuck a puck past Guelph's Brenden Cregan. Shortly after, Salinitri sniped one past Cregan from the low slot, tying the game. Unfortunately, Guelph restored their lead at the 6:09 mark when Ryan Valentini fired off a quick release past Reinhart. After an energy filled period, the Lancers closed the gap but still had work to do, down 3-2.
 
In the third the Lancers struggled to muster many meaningful chances against Cregan and his Gryphons. Reinhart gave the Lancers every chance, not allowing a goal in the third, but the blue and gold couldn't find a way to tie the game, losing 3-2.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers will now break for the holidays and return to OUA action on Friday, Jan. 3 at Laurier for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop on www.OUA.tv.