NORTH BAY, Ont. - In what was arguably the most exciting game of the season, the Bishop's Gaiters came up just short of the Brock Badgers - 10-7 - in a CUFLA semi-final contest at the 2021 Baggataway Cup at Nipissing University.
A tough battle from the first face-off, the Gaiters controlled the possession early and were the first to strike.
Karl Szabo (Quebec City, QC/Lawrenceville School) opened the scoring for the purple and white on the Gaiters' opening shot of the game. The Gaiters doubled their lead on a goal by
Antoine Tremblay (Calgary, AB/Central Memorial H.S.) before Brock responded with two goals of their own. Bishop's closed the quarter with one more goal from
Max Naysmith (Toronto, ON/St. Michael's College School) to take a one goal lead into the second stanza.
The Gaiters and Badgers went back and forth in the second quarter, ending the first 40 minutes deadlocked at four goals a piece.
Brock stormed out of the break, upped the offensive tempo and scored three goals in the third while, defensively, keeping the Gaiters from adding to their total.
Gallery: (11-5-2021) 2021 Baggataway Cup Semi-Final
In true Baggataway Cup fashion, the contest came down to the final 20 minutes with the game still in reach for the Gaiters, trailing the Badgers by just three goals. Both teams pushed hard in the fourth quarter, maintaining the offensive pressure while simultaneously exhibiting a solid defensive presence. The game's physicality also increased and tensions flared. Eleven of the game's fourteen penalties came in the final 20 minutes. Brock scored three back-to-back goals in the first 12 minutes of the final quarter to complete a 7-0 run from the second to fourth quarters. The Gaiters pushed back late with two goals from Gasperetti and a game first for
Douglas Porter (Prince George, BC/College Heights S.S.).
Ultimately, the Gaiters' efforts came up just short and the Badgers earned the berth to the Baggataway Cup final. For the Gaiters' seniors, this game marked the final time they will don the purple and white on the field. Goalie
Ian Connors (Hammonds Plains, NS/Charles P. Allen H.S.), one of Bishop's seniors, had a stellar game in net, making several crucial saves. He was named the game MVP for the Gaiters for his performance.
The purple and white finish the 2021 season with a 7-1 record.
Scoring Summary:
Bishop's:
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