Story by Robb Fenton, Nipissing Athletics
In what many would call an upset, the fourth seeded Guelph Gryphons eliminated the top-seeded Trent Excalibur in the first semi-final Saturday night in North Bay.
A strong start helped, but for the Gryphons, it was the second quarter that led them to victory, as they topped Trent 13-10.
Guelph will now await the winner of the second semi-final, as they are set to play in Sunday’s championship tilt.
Despite actually trailing 3-2 after the first, Guelph stormed back to grab a 7-5 lead at halftime thanks to three straight goals at the end of the opening 40 minutes.
They continued their strong offensive play in the third adding to their lead and going up 9-5 before Trent answered back to cut into their deficit.
After three quarters, Guelph was up 9-6.
The teams combined for eight goals in the final quarter – four apiece – which worked to the Gryphons favour, as they held their lead despite three straight goals from the Excalibur.
In the end, the Gryphons were able to pull off the upset, handing the Excalibur their first loss of the season, as they had previously gone 6-0 in the regular season and 1-0 in the playoffs to this point.
Thomas Whitty led the Gryphons attack with four goals, Michael Berger added a hat-trick and Connor Watson chipped in with a pair of tallies.
On the Trent side, Taite Cattoni had four goals and Dylan Hutchison had a hat trick.
The Excalibur’s season has now come to an end, just short of their ultimate goal.
Guelph, who defeated Nipissing Friday and now Trent Saturday will play for the title Sunday afternoon against either Bishop’s or Brock.
Game time is 2pm at Nipissing Field.
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