Tigers And Gryphins Put On Another Thrilling OT Performance

by Mike Marasco

After battling through an epic five-game series for the ACHL's Robertson Cup, the Wentworth Gryphins and Stoney Creek Tigers went to battle once again. However, this chapter of their rivalry took place in the preliminary round of the 2026 Allan Cup Challenge tournament in Conception Bay, Newfoundland — and it didn't disappoint, as the teams went to overtime once again with Jordan Gignac scoring the winner for Stoney Creek.

Stoney Creek struck first in the opening period when Cordell James picked up a pass off a skate and shot from a sharp angle, finding the back of the net at 3:36 to go up 1-0. The Gryphins responded a couple of minutes later when Tyler VanKleef took a spinning shot from within the slot to tie the game. Not even 30 seconds later, Matt MacLeod gave Wentworth the lead, taking a lofted pass from Tyler Hore, skating in, and beating Daniel Svedin to make it 2-1 at 6:38.

The Tigers looked like they were going to even things just over a minute later as they went in on a three-on-two, but Joe Murdaca made an incredible save to keep the puck out. Stoney Creek would level the score before the end of the period when Kyle Essery tipped in an Andrew Whalen shot, sending the teams to the dressing room knotted at two.

Both teams had excellent chances in the second and third periods. Stoney Creek had a great opportunity in the second on a two-man advantage, and later in the third were robbed by Murdaca. At the other end of the ice, the Gryphins had a Mark Corbett shot ring off the iron, and a puck narrowly stayed out of the Tigers' net on the power play. With neither team able to find the back of the net, they headed to familiar territory — their fourth overtime meeting in their last six matchups.

The extra frame lasted only 85 seconds, as Gignac picked up a rebound off Matt Ruberto's shot and tucked it into the Wentworth net to secure the Tigers' victory.

Svedin started in goal for Stoney Creek but left with just over three and a half minutes remaining in regulation with an apparent injury. He allowed two goals, while Matt Sagrott picked up the win in mop-up duty over the final six minutes. The tandem combined for 31 saves in the contest. Murdaca took the loss despite a stellar performance in the Gryphins' net, allowing three goals on 37 shots.

The Tigers and Gryphins will have Tuesday off as they await the remaining games to be played. Following tonight's and tomorrow's results, the teams will be seeded for the playoff round, which begins Wednesday. Stoney Creek is likely to earn a spot in the one-versus-two game, with a chance to advance directly to the final on Saturday afternoon, while the Gryphins will play in an elimination game on Wednesday afternoon.

All games can be streamed through AO Live.

Fans can stay up-to-date with all the scores, stats and news on the 2026 Allan Cup website.

Scoring
1st Period
Tigers – Cordell James (1), Darren McCormick, Mike Ruberto | 3:36
Gryphins – Tyler VanKleef (1), Jason Popek, Elijah Roberts | 6:09
Gryphins – Matt MacLeod (1), Tyler Hore | 6:38
Tigers – Kyle Essery (1), Andrew Whalen, Justin Abraham | 17:48

2nd Period
No Scoring

3rd Period
No Scoring

Overtime
Tigers – Jordan Gignac (1), Matt Ruberto, Dominik Crnogorac | 1:25

Upcoming Schedule
Pre-lims (Eastern Time)
Monday, April 20
GM 4 - Conception Bay vs Minto – 6:00pm

Tuesday, April 21
GM 5 - Minto vs Clarenville – 6:00pm

Playoffs (Eastern Time)
Wednesday, April 22
GM 6 - 5th Place vs 4th Place – 1:30pm
GM 7 – 1st Place ve 2nd Place – 6:00pm

Thursday, April 23
GM 8 – Winner GM 6 vs 3rd Place – 6:00pm

Friday, April 24
GM 9 – Winner GM 8 vs Loser Gm 7 – 6:00pm

Saturday, April 25
GM 10 – Winner GM9 vs Winner GM 7 – 3:00pm

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For more information contact Allan Cup Hockey Commissioner Rick Richardson at 905-328-4727 or email: rickystar911@outlook.com