Week 5 CUFLA Top 5 Power Rankings
1. Bishop’s 8-0-0 (Last Week 1)
Eight games into the season and the defending Baggataway Cup champions have yet to suffer a loss. The Bishop Gaiter’s have not been in the loss column since September 22nd, 2011, making them unbeaten in 19 straight games. The Gaiters picked up two wins while outscoring their opponents 23-5 on the weekend. This Thursday the unbeaten Gaiters will play conference rivals McGill Redmen in a grudge match which will play vital in deciding first place in the east. Balanced offense, strong defense and goaltending was the key to success for the Gaiters last season and it has continued in 2012. As the regular season comes close to an end, the Bishop Gaiters once again are a heavy favourite for the CUFLA Baggataway Cup.
2. Western 8-1-0 (Last Week 2)
The Western Mustangs gained vengeance over the Guelph Gryphons with a 7-6 victory last Friday night. The western conference matchup was decided by a goal at 12:56 by senior defender Eric Pitre. The duo of freshmen Ryan McCrory and sophomore Dylan Ham each recorded three points in the win. The Stangs were back at it again on Sunday afternoon at beautiful TD Waterhouse Stadium for a matinee against the Laurier Golden Hawks. The Mustangs picked up their eighth win on the season with a convincing 14-4 victory over the Golden Hawks. McCory and Ham picked up where they left off recording five points each. The Mustangs have a busy schedule this week as they hit the field three times in four days. The Mustangs will travel Wednesday night to Laurier and will play host to the Brock Badgers on Friday night followed by the McMaster Marauders on Sunday. The game against the Badgers could decide who gains top seed going into Baggataway weekend. The Mustangs outstanding defense complimented by a deep offensive unit has been a great formula for success in 2012. If the Mustangs can continue their solid play into the post season, the Baggataway Cup may return to London, Ontario for the first time since 2001.
3.Brock 9-1-0 (Last Week 3)
The Brock Badgers are unbeaten in the past five games and are not ready to slow down anytime soon. The Badgers recorded two victories over McMaster and Toronto this past week while outscoring their opponents 26-5. In the two games, senior attackman Jordan Weedmark posted six goals. Sophomore Greg Davidson found the back of the cage three times while adding four assists. To say this week is big for Brock lacrosse would be an understatement. In his first CUFLA season, Canisus grad Travis Gibbons is in the hunt for the CUFLA scoring title with a tied league best of 42 points. Gibbons also is second in goals with 28, trailing from the lead by one with two games remaining. Friday night the Badgers will have a chance at redemption as they play the Western Mustangs, who served Brock their only loss of the year. The next day they will travel to Guelph to close their season against a hungry Gryphons team who has suffered two losses, including one to the hands of the Badgers. The Badgers have improved on their undisciplined play, reducing their time in the box significantly. Brock has shown they can play stellar ball at even strength but they will need to prove that they can do the same against the elite teams in the league. The Badgers are confident and focused to win out the remainder of the regular season and head into the Baggataway weekend as the heavy favourites. Brock has had one goal in mind from day one and it has never changed; bring the cup back home to St.Catharines.
4.McGill 8-1-0 (Last week 5)
The McGill Redmen picked up a big victory over Trent Sunday afternoon at Molson Stadium in Montreal,PQ. The spread of offense continued as 11 different Redmen registered a point in the victory. Leading the way was sophomore attackman Connor Goodwin who posted a goal and three helpers for 4 points. First place in the east will be decided Thursday night at Molson Stadium as the Redmen will take on the undefeated Gaiters. McGill will look to redeem themselves after they lost to Bishop’s on September 27th.
5.Guelph 7-2-0 (Last Week 4)
This friday, the Guelph Gryphons fell to the hands of the Western Mustangs for their second loss of the season. The Gryphs have had no problems scoring goals this season. Junior Jordan Daradick and ex- Hofstra Pride member Mike Burke each have 20 plus goals on the season but when it comes to important games, the Gryphs struggle to put up the big numbers. Guelph was held to only six goals in their lost to Western this weekend. They have a chance to jump into second place in the west if they can knock off the Brock Badgers this Saturday. With the scoring threats the Gryphs have, there should be no excuse for scoring troubles. If the Gryphons offense can pick it up in the post-season, they could be a big sleeper pick for the Baggataway Cup.
