NEW GLASGOW - The North Nova Gryphons boys hockey team won both their round-robin playoff games this weekend to push them into the regional playoffs. NNEC travelled to Antigonish on Thursday night to meet the Dr. JH Gillis Royals at the Millenium Centre. Scott Graham opened the scoring early in the first with Craig Murray putting the Gryphons up by two before Antigonish hit the scoresheet. Chris Brooker scored late in the first to take a 3-1 lead into the second frame. Murray scored his second of the night to open the middle period and Sam Cameron scored an unassisted goal with less than a minute to play to round out the period. There was no scoring in the third as the Gryphons won 5-1. Assists went to Allister Mason with two, Tommy Hayman, Ryan Washburn, Cameron and Graham. Logan Boudreau had a strong game in nets.
On Friday, the Gryphons hosted the CEC Cougars from Truro. CEC opened the scoring on a power play but Tommy Hayman tied the game to even it after one. Truro once again opened the scoring in the second frame but Cameron found the back of the net on a power play marker a minute later. Murray and Graham rounded out the scoring in the second. The third period was scoreless leaving the final, 4-2. Assists went to Tommy Hayman with two and singles to Murray, Allister Mason, Cameron, Tyler Chisholm and Ryan Washburn. Joel Mac Lean backstopped the Gryphons to the victory.
The Gryphons will host the Antigonish Royals on Friday night at the JBM at 6:30 p.m. in the first game of a best-of-three to determine who will go to provincials in Sydney after March Break.
