Gryphons Down Lakers in Baggataway Cup Opening Game

History was made when the Nipissing Lakers lacrosse program was named host of the Baggataway Cup back in 2020. 

Unfortunately, the team didn’t get the chance to host due to the covid-19 pandemic shutting down much of the sports world. 

Fast forward to 2021, the Lakers are making more history, hosting the tournament and kicking things off Friday afternoon, as they host the Guelph Gryphons in the tournament’s opening game. 

The Lakers received a bye to the championship weekend, being the hosts, while the Gryphons defeated the defending champions, the Western Mustangs in the qualification game last weekend. 

After 80 hard-fought minutes, it was Guelph who walked away with the win, moving on to Saturday’s semi-final. 

Early on, the Gryphons controlled the chances and grabbed an early 1-0 lead. 

Nipissing tied the game minutes later, but two quick strikes by the Gryphons gave them a 3-1 lead that they took into the first intermission. 

Coming out in the second, the Gryphons once again struck quickly, making it 4-1. 

They kept the offence coming, jumping ahead 5-1 less than four minutes into the second frame. 

The Lakers answered with one of their own, but it was all Guelph to close out the first half. 

At the break, the Gryphons led Nipissing 8-2. 

Opening up the third with a six-goal spread, Nipissing begins to fight back, scoring three times in the first half of the frame to cut into their deficit. 

Guelph answered right back, stopping the Lakers run, to stay ahead 9-5. 

Both teams found the back of the net in the final few minutes and ended the third, up 11-6. 

Heading into the final frame, the Gryphons found themselves up by a handful. 

Guelph put the game away in fourth, outscoring the Lakers 8-2 down the stretch to pull away and cruise to the victory. 

In the end, the quick start had the Gryphons ahead for the majority of the game and earned them the victory. 

Leading the way offensively for the Gryphons were Mitchell Ogilvie with five goals, Michael Berger with four and Mark Wilson with a pair.

Bo Peltier had three goals for Nipissing and Scott Dominey and Zach Tarr each added a pair.

For the Lakers, the season has come to a close, as they finish as one of the top six teams in the league, but won’t take home the title. 

On the other side of things, the Gryphons have advanced to the semi-finals, where they’ll face the Trent Excalibur Saturday at 3pm.