Western Mustangs down Bishop's Gaiters 17-12 in first 2015 Baggataway Cup semifinal

Western jumped out early, withstood a furious Bishop's comeback and dominated the third period 6-1 to take their Baggataway Cup semifinal over the Gaiters. So many of the Mustangs' goals came in transition that it was difficult to keep track of them all. 

Cody Ward and Ryan McCrory were often on the finishing end of Western's quick and precise passing, with Ward winding up with 6 goals and McCrory 5. 

Mason Austen, James Malloy and Ryan Dewar each had hat tricks to lead the Gaiters, who fell short of the final before a robust crowd of their fans, who gave the team a nice ovation after the game ended. 

Western was up 5-1 after the first period and looked to be in control of the game. Bishop's didn't give in, though, and they really got their offence rolling in the second quarter. After the teams traded goals, Bishop's went on a 5-1 run capped by Austen's rip with just a few seconds remaining in the half to make it 7-7 heading into the intermission. 

The teams traded goals in the first six minutes of the third quarter. Then the Mustangs went on the run that would decide the game. They scored the next six goals, four of them coming from McCrory. 

Bishop's battled back valiantly in the fourth, but the risks they had to take led to Western matching the Gaiters' four goals in the quarter. 

Western moves on to the final to play the winner of Saturday afternoon's Brock vs McGill semifinal, which will start at 5 pm.

Box score 
Link to watch Brock/McGill and Sunday's 1 pm final