With the regular season behind them, the Nipissing Lakers lacrosse team is focused on the task ahead of them.
The Lakers are a win away from a return to the Baggataway Cup and only the Bishop's Gaiters stand in their way.
The matchup will see the 6-4 Lakers host the 5-5 Gaiters in Round 1 of the CUFLA Playoffs, with the winner advancing to the championship weekend, hosted by McGill in Montreal.
The game will take place Saturday at 1pm at Nipissing Field.
In their lone matchup this season, the Lakers doubled up on the Gaiters 8-4 in North Bay, with
Tanner Poole leading the way with five goals.
Nipissing finished with a 3-2 record at home, with both losses coming to the top teams in the division – McGill and Trent.
In the lone matchup between the teams, Nipissing actually erased an early and small deficit, coming back to win thanks to a big second half.
The used a six-goal second half to pick up the win.
The Gaiters finished the season with four straight wins – two at home and two on the road to climb the standings and even their record at 5-5.
Bishop's was 2-3 on the road this year and won those two games during their four-game winning streak to end the season.
CUFLA Accolades
On top of having a strong season as a team and heading to the post-season again, the Lakers saw three individuals really make a mark on the league this season.
Tanner Poole,
Scott Dominey and
Will Craig all had outstanding offensive seasons and in fact, ranked first, third and fifth, respectively, in league scoring.
Poole led the way in points and assists, while Craig led the league in goals.
Tanner Poole
An offensive force all year, Poole was the main setup man for the Lakers this year accumulating 28 assists in just 10 games.
He also added 15 goals, two of which were power play marker, to bring his point total to 43.
His top outings throughout the season were a nine assist effort against Carleton, two six-point games – against Bishop's and Trent and two five-point contests versus Ottawa and Carleton.
Scott Dominey
Last year's offensive leader, Dominey had another big campaign, posting 34 points in 10 games – including 20 goals and 14 assists.
Dominey had four games with at least three goals, including one four goal game.
He also added a four assist game and a game with three helpers.
The attack was also able to chip in with three power play goals.
Will Craig
The third member of the Lakers offensive force was the team and league's top goal-scorer, as Craig potted 30 goals in 10 games.
He had five games where he tallied at least three goals, including a huge outburst against Carleton where he scored seven times.
Of his 30 goals, he had two on the power play and another shorthanded.
Playoffs
When: Saturday, Nov. 1
Time: 1pm
Where: Nipissing Field
Location: North Bay, ON
