On the Atlantic and AUS teams
Alberta has won two National Championships in the Atlantic, both times in Moncton.
The Bears won the '78 title beating Toronto 6-5. It would be the first of the three straight for the U of A, as they would beat Paul MacLean and Dalhousie in '79, and then crushed host Regina in 1980.
Most of you are familiar with the Bears title in 2008 in Moncton with the marginal 3-2 upset over UNB.
Make no mistake, the Bears have a healthy respect for whatever AUS team they will face.
I still think top to bottom the AUS has the strongest Conference, and as illustrated last March, the University Cup is a "home show".
How many of you had Saskatchewan in the Final?
With three AUS schools in the 8-team tournament I could easily see at least two AUS schools in the semi-final.
St. FX will not be a big underdog if the play the Bears.
They are a top four AUS team with several WHL'ers.
They will kind of be "at home" and they will have full support of the home crowd, with Bears being portrayed as the "black hats" by the fans....and "some" of the media.
"X" wont have any pressure on them, they will be seenm as David trying to slay Goliath, they will be playing with house money!
Alberta, assuming they make it, will be flying 3000 miles and will have a target on their backs.
It wont be easy.