Guelph beats Bishop's 13-9 to advance to semis

The defending champion Guelph Gryphons scored the final six goals of the game, including amassing 5-0 fourth quarter, to beat the Bishop's Gaiters 13-9 in the quarterfinals of the Baggataway Cup Friday night at the Oshawa Civic Recreation Complex stadium. Curtis Knight and Ryan Serville each scored four goals and an assist to lead the Guelph attack. Ryan Dewar and James Malloy scored a pair of goals each for the Gaiters.

Guelph once again came into the tournament as the third seed in the West Division; last year they came from that position to win the national title with three straight upsets. Their win sets up a rematch of last year's semifinal, in which they beat the Brock Badgers to reach the title game. Saturday's semi is available to watch via a free live webcast by JVI Video at 12 noon.

The first three quarters of Friday's game were back and forth, with neither team able to take more than a two-goal lead. The score was tied 4-4 after the first quarter and 6-6 at half time. Serville gave Guelph a 7-6 lead three and a half minutes into the third quarter but then the Gaiters ran off three straight goals to pull ahead by two. Alex Millin and Mason Austen put in similar back to back markers, sprinting down the wide slot to get clear of their defenders and rip home low shots. Then Taren Cook connected for the 9-7 goal with 3:20 to play in the third. Little did anyone realize at the time that was the last goal Bishop's would score.

Knight closed out the third with a goal and opened the scoring in the fourth as Guelph took over the momentum of the game and tied it 9-9. Ryan Serville scored the next goal at 7:55 then made a pass to Brett Ulbikas a minute and a half later to put Guelph up by a pair. Jordan Critch ripped home a shot another minute and a half after that.

Bishop's kept pushing for scoring chances, but the Guelph defence and goalie Michael Lalani were equal to the task. Knight's final goal came with two minutes to play and goalie David Bigley out of his crease helping to apply pressure trying to force a turnover.

Knight was named player of the game for Guelph and Austen was the player of the game for Bishop's.