Guelph Gryphons (9-3) CUFLA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEW:

Despite a third-place finish, the Gryphons are a star-studded team with five  All-Canadian selections, as many as Brock and Western combined. The Gryphons will rely heavily on those stars this weekend. This team is led by former Minto Cup winners Ryan Serville , Jordan Critch  and Curtis Knight  all of whom have experience playing and winning big games. However, Guelph enters this tournament as the underdog in the West.
 
Their offence was the second best in the West Division, having notched 153 goals. Paced by their All-Canadian attackmen Critch and Serville, offence won't be the concern for the Gryphons. Statistically speaking, Guelph is matched up against the East's second-best best defensive unit when they meet Bishop's on Friday night. It will be a true test for the Gryphons offensive leaders, as they will need to overpower a strong Gaiters defence. However, it would not be out of the question to see Guelph come out on the winning end of a high-scoring affair.
 
Even with the leadership provided on the back end by All-Canadian long-stick midfielder Benjamin Vangalen  the Gryphons defence will be the question this weekend. Of the six teams playing at the Nationals, Guelph's gave up the most goals per game during the regular season. Their defensive troops will need to step it up to another gear. The Gryphons have 2010 All-Canadian goaltender Jeremy Snider  and although he might not have had his best regular season, Snider has shown that he has the ability to single-handedly win games. 
 
Ultimately the Gryphons will control their own destiny. They have been able to grind out close games for victories. Conversely, they suffered eight-goal losses to both Brock and Western, as well as a one-goal setback to Brock in the final weekend of the regular season. In this single-elimination playoff format, Guelph has the players, leadership and ability to string together three straight hard victories. Onlt two teams have ever won three games in three days to win the CUFLA title and Guelph was one of them, accomplishing the feat in 2008.
 
Match-Up
The Gryphons will take on a Bishop's Gaiters team that is only two seasons removed from their 2011 Baggataway Cup championship and is hungry for another. If Guelph wants to get to the championship game, they will be tasked with shutting down the second and first-ranked offensive units in the East, in Bishop's and McGill, respectively. However, the Gryphons have some proven winners on their roster and the experience to buckle down when necessary to get them back to their first Baggataway Cup final since 2008.
 
All-Canadians
Jordan Critch – Attack
Ryan Serville – Attack
Connor Deuchars – Midfield
Curtis Knight – Midfield
Ben Van Galen – Faceoff Specialist & Long Stick Midfield
 
Honourable Mention
Ben Van Galen – Defence
David Nedelko – Long Stick Midfield

For the rest of the Championship Team previews click below: 

East Division Preview

West Division Preview