Canada west playoffs

[SP Saskatuned]

Calgary Dinos vs. Saskatchewan Huskies

On the Canada West men's semifinal between Saskatchewan and Calgary:

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...uskies-fransoo-happy-to-have-hand-in-playoffs

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/dinos+face+another+stern+hockey+test/11742000/story.html

Click to read more...

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

CanadaWest semi-final

Should be a dandy, Calgary seems to have found their game and Howell is no stranger to the Nationals.
Calgary looking to punch a ticket to Halifax. What is a sell out at Rutherford??
I would think that that barn would be full.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Dogs vs. Dinos

More on the Calgary-Saskatchewan series, which begins tonight:

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...-dogs-see-dinos-as-dangerous-playoff-opponent

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

'Berta in 4

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Saskatchewan takes 1-0 series lead

Kendall McFaull scores in double OT. Steven Stanford stops 77 — yes, 77 — shots for the Calgary Dinos. There have now been seven OT periods, and 13 periods total, in the last two CW games played at the 86-year-old rusty Rutherford Rink.

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...ies/hockey-dogs-win-in-double-ot-over-calgary

https://twitter.com/DZfromtheSP/status/703420822233305088?cn=ZmF2b3JpdGU=&refsrc=email

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Saskatchewan takes 1-0 series lead

Kendall McFaull scores in double OT as Saskatchewan edges Calgary 4-3 but out-shoots them 81-37. Steven Stanford makes 77 — yes, 77 —*saves for the Dinos.

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...ies/hockey-dogs-win-in-double-ot-over-calgary

 

[Bearpaw]

The U of A played a complete game tonight and dominated the Cougars 7-1. The Bears controlled the game with speed and their pressure game - something that has not been seen all year at the Drake. It was vintage Golden Bear Hockey. The Bears got contributions from all areas of their game but the Ferguson, Crooks and Legault line could not be stopped.

One area of concern is the discipline - there were several penalties which were poor decisions by the Bears. While it did not get them into trouble tonight, it could bite them going forward (especially if they face a team that just took 81 shots).

Good first game for the Bears and hopefully they are hitting stride at the right time. Game two goes tomorrow at 6:00. Here is hoping the crowd is just as lively as the one tonight as it was a great atmosphere for a play-off game.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Saskatchewan becomes first team to earn a berth at UCup with 5-3 win over Calgary.

Alberta could be joining them in a few minutes as they lead 4-3 over MRU.

 

[Bearpaw]

Alberta does indeed join the Huskies as the second team in with a 5-3 win.

If last night was vintage, tonight was a summation of the 2015-16 season. Inconsistent play - flashes of brilliance and other instances of being unable to sustain any pressure. Tonight, there was just enough to ge by a stingy MRU team.

Two things about tonight's game are cause for concern going forward - goaltending and discipline. Siemens has been average at best all season. And in the series, MRU scored every goal while a man up - 3 on the Power Play and one on a delayed penalty. Five on Five the Bears can dominate anyone.

It was also another great atmosphere at the Drake tonight. Kudos goes to the Cougars fans who made the trek and kept th faith all weekend for their team. Definitely the most vocal of visitors support seen in a long time.

Even though both the Huskies and Bears qualify, winning the West is key key get a favored seed at the Nationals.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Here's the story from Game 2 of the Canada West men's hockey semifinal between Calgary and Saskatchewan:

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...huskies-sweep-dinos-earn-university-cup-berth

Calgary will lose at least three key players who have used up their CIS eligibility: Kevin King, Alex Dzielski and Max Ross.
Goalie Steven Stanford, Spencer Edwards, Brooks Myers and Dylan Walchuk are all listed in their fourth year of CIS eligibility.

After this season, Saskatchewan loses fifth-years D Zak Stebner and F Matt Spafford along with fourth-years Jesse Ross and back-up goalie Blake Voth.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

So when is the last time Alberta had to play a playoff series on the road?

 

[Bob Stauffer]

Last Alberta road series was in 2000 in Canada West Final.
Saskatchewan hosted University Cup, so both teams had already qualified.
An experienced Huskies' squad won the series 2-1...but crashed out of their pool 2 weeks later in Saskatoon.
Alberta beat UNB 5-4 in Double-OT on a winner by 2-time CIS Player of the Year Russ Hewson to give the Golden Bears back-to-back National titles.

 

[Rob]

Wow. Had no idea it was that long ago.

Still should be favorites.

 

[AUS Fan]

I think you can pencil in UNB and SFX as well, barring some kind of cosmic disturbance.

 

[Drummer]

... cosmic disturbance.

Sun Spots

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Huskies' Cooke named Canada West most outstanding player

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...s-pair-of-major-awards-bauml-named-top-rookie

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

CanadaWest Final

Alberta is the favourite here, let's make no mistake. They are still loaded with 5'th year veterans and will have a large turnover this year. Saskatchewan has obviously had a great regular season and are on the rise, but are clear underdogs. I think Alberta's biggest difference is in goal and if Siemens finds a groove , they could win again. By capturing the regular season, saskatchewan has finally forced the Bears to play on the road, which is much better than winning 2/3 at Claire Drake arena.
If Saskatchewan wins, this would likely put the two best CIS programs(U of A and UNB ) together in the same pool.

 

[Drummer]

If Saskatchewan wins, this would likely put the two best CIS programs(U of A and UNB ) together in the same pool.

Yes - it would make for an interesting Semi (provided both teams advance to round 2).

I would argue that the CW loser will be #5 regardless - facing OUA loser (weak OUA West) team.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Saskatchewan vs. Alberta

This will be the first time that Saskatchewan plays host to Alberta in Canada West men's hockey playoffs since 2000 when the Huskies won their third straight conference banner. They've won just two more since then, including one in Edmonton.
Saskatchewan last won the Canada West men's hockey championship in 2012 when the Huskies knocked off the Calgary Dinos in Saskatoon.

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...dy-to-tangle-in-canada-west-mens-hockey-final

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Yes - it would make for an interesting Semi (provided both teams advance to round 2).

I would argue that the CW loser will be #5 regardless - facing OUA loser (weak OUA West) team.

With UNB's history with Alberta in medal games...I would almost prefer to face them in the semis.

 

[Rob]

Saskatchewan 4 Alberta 0 - Only caught the third period which the Bears were dominating until the Huskies scored those two late goals included Cable with a beauty on the penalty shot.

P.S - Like the new Huskies jerseys.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Impressive performance from Saskatchewan tonight from the sounds of it.

Was the game streamed for free? Or do you have to pay for it?

 

[Rob]

Impressive performance from Saskatchewan tonight from the sounds of it.

Was the game streamed for free? Or do you have to pay for it?

Paid for it. About $4 cad. Not that best quality broadcast. Mainly because the camera angle is so bad for half the rink. Worth it for the playoffs though.

Yes, the Huskies impressed me. I thought that they might be a team that just plays defense and relies heavily on Cooke. That is not the case. Kohl Bauml is a very skilled rookie.

 

[SP Saskatuned]

Huskies take Game 1

Very tight first period. Huskies had tons of chances in the second, with Connor Cox and Parker Thomas both hitting the cross-bar.
Bears had a few very good chances of their own in the third.

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...rs-in-game-1-of-canada-west-mens-hockey-final

 

[Rob]

Very tight first period. Huskies had tons of chances in the second, with Connor Cox and Parker Thomas both hitting the cross-bar.
Bears had a few very good chances of their own in the third.

http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/lo...rs-in-game-1-of-canada-west-mens-hockey-final

What was with the rust build-up on the ice? Is that a usual problem there?