NORTH BAY, Ont. – An incredible weekend for the Guelph Gryphons came up just one goal shy of their ultimate dream at the 2021 Baggataway Cup in North Bay. After two tremendous victories on Friday and Saturday to earn their ticket to the Baggataway final, the Gryphons fell 10-9 in overtime to the Brock Badgers.
All weekend long, Guelph played some of their best lacrosse of the year. After earning their trip to the Baggataway Cup with a win over Western in their play-in game, the Gryphons carried that momentum over to their quarter-final contest against the host Nipissing Lakers. Led by five goals from Mitchell Ogilivie and four more from
Michael Berger, Guelph was able to cruise past the Lakers 18-8 securing their spot in the semi's.
Battling the Trent Excalibur with a spot in the Baggataway Cup final on the line, the Gryphons were able to pull off the upset of the top-seed. Even though they trailed Trent 4-2 during the game, the Gryphons quickly fought back. Going on a 9-2 scoring run, Guelph jumped out in front 11-6 giving themselves a comfortable lead to work with. Despite the Excalibur replying with three goals of their own, the Gryphons were able to fend off the comeback and come away with a 13-10 win. After scoring four goals in the quarter-finals, Berger followed up that performance with a hat-trick against Trent.
Thomas Whitty led the Gryphs with four goals in the match.
In the final, the Gryphons found themselves up against the Brock Badgers, who also pulled off an upset in their own right defeating the Bishop's Gaiters in the other semi-final. Throughout the first half, offence seemed to be at a premium. However, the Gryphons were able to jump out to a 3-1 lead just past the midway point of the first with a pair of goals from
Michael Berger and one from
Thomas Whitty. However, the deficit did not phase the Badgers. Brock would go on to score six of the next seven goals, taking a 7-4 lead over the Gryphons into the half. Now with Guelph finding themselves in a trailing position, it was their turn to start working their way back.
Scoring the only two goals of the third,
Mitchell Ogilvie and
Mark Wilson pulled the Gryphons back within one heading into the final frame of regulation. Taking over in the fourth, Berger began doing everything he could to secure the Baggataway Cup for the Gryphs. Scoring two straight goals, Berger put the Gyrphons up 8-7 with only eight minutes left to play. The Badgers would equalize the contest about three minutes later though. Knotted up 8-8, Berger got back to work for Guelph. With just 3:03 left in regulation, the Uxbridge, Ontario native fired home his fifth goal of the final to put Guelph back up by one, 9-8. Trying to nurse the one goal lead to victory, the Gryphs came up just 86 seconds short, as Brock once again tied the contest, this time in the dying minutes.
Unfortunately for the Gryphons, it was just a few minutes later when Aidan Buis scored the Baggataway Cup clinching goal early in OT for the Badgers.
In the final, Berger led the way for Guelph with his five goals, while Ogilvie added a pair.
Thomas Whitty and
Mark Wilson had the other two goals in the match for the Gryphons.
All-Tournament Team
Attack
Michael Berger, Guelph
Tyrus Rehanuk, Brock
Jacob Gasperetti, Bishop's
Midfield
Mitch Ogilvie, Guelph
Alex Pace, Brock
Zach Tarr, Nipissing
Defence
Nolan Schott, Guelph
Jeff Wittig, Brock
McGregor Allen, Brock
Goalie
Simon Bellamy (Brock)
Faceoff
Mitch Gustavsen, Brock
LSM
Curtis Romanchych, Trent
