2024-25 Manitoba Bisons/USports

[Hollywood2]

Preview: February 14-15, 2025: MANITOBA at SASKATCHEWAN

MANITOBA BISONS (8-16-2, 11-27-2, OHT35 #28)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (21-5-0, 30-6-0, OHT35 #3)

Friday, February 14th at 7:00 CST at Merlis Belcher Place, Saskatoon
Saturday, February 15th at 5:00 CST at Merlis Belcher Place, Saskatoon

Live Links:
➤ Video: CanadaWest TV
➤ Friday: Hockey Tech
➤ Saturday: Hockey Tech

Manitoba Links:
➤ GoBisons (Saturday late): Golden Bears top Bisons 7-4
➤ GoBisons: Skyler Bruce and Madisson Lawrence are Bison Sports Athletes of the Week
➤ CW: Stats ∞ Schedule/Results/Links

Other Links:
➤ UofS: Huskie Happenings (Feb. 14-15, 2025)
➤ Huskie Fan: Men’s Hockey (with audio)
➤ USports: Men’s Hockey Page ∞ Top 10
➤ USports: Schedule/Links ∞ Standings
➤ CW: Home Page ∞ Season Schedule
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Daily Schedule
➤ CW: Stats ∞ Schedule/Results/Links
➤ LeagueStat: Media Stats

Last series:
➤ Jan 17/25: UM 2 US 7: Game Centre
➤ Jan 18/25: UM 0 US 5: Game Centre

This the last weekend of the season has a distinct lack of drama. All that remains is who will get 1st and 2nd in each division. I, like most observers, see relatively little suspense in either race.

The Banjo-Mutts trail the Evil Monkeys by one point, but the Monkeys finished their schedule last weekend. Here’s the scenario, from the CW hockey regulations.

Two teams tied:
The following shall determine the final league standings:
a) The best win/loss record in head-to-head games between the two teams.
b) If still tied, the number of wins in league play.
c) If still tied, the best goals for/goals against differential in league play.

Alberta and Sask are 3-3-0 against one another.

To end up tied on points, Sask would have to go 0-1-1, in which case each team would finish 21-6-1.

Alberta is currently +57 and Sask +56. So in the event Sask goes 0-1-1, the final tie-breaker belongs to Alberta.

Therefore, Sask needs two points against the Bisons. They should be able to do that much. It would be a shock if they didn’t.

The Bison team scoring race is also up for grabs. Captain Hooker, rookie Skylar Bruce, and transfer Riley Stotts all have 29 points through 26 games. All three are Top Ten scorers in the CW, which is amazing for a 7th place team. Too bad rookie Dawson Pasternak missed the first half of the season. He has 16 points in just 12 games. His points-per-game is 6th in the CW.

Sask’s goaltenders have been their strength. In save %, Roddy Ross is first and Jordan Kooy is second in the CW.

ELSEWHERE IN THE CW

MACEWAN GRIFFINS (10-13-3, 13-16-3, OHT35 #19)
REGINA COUGARS (3-22-1, 6-26-2, OHT35 #33)

Links:
➤ MacU: Three Stars: Obasuyi, Epp, Shimoda earn honours
➤ MacU: Road Preview: BB teams cross the river in visit U of A, while MHKY tunes up in Regina for playoffs
➤ UofR (Saturday late): Mount Royal pulls away in third for win over Cougars

This has been a terrible year for the Banjo-Cats. They are dead last, two points behind Holy Trinity. The program seems to be in disarray. They seldom update their own website with game reports or stories. However, the team does come up with an occasional strong performance. Due to the standings, they cannot be described here as “playing spoiler”. The Family Guys will be tuning up for next weekend’s playoffs, where they will likely be travelling to UBC.

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (17-6-3, 22-6-3, OHT35 #8)
CALGARY DINOSAURS (14-10-2, 20-11-2, OHT35 #14)

Links:
➤ UBC: Cole Schwebius Earns Third CW Player of the Week This Season
➤ UofC: Team Website

The T-irds trail the Bluegars by two points, but IMO have no realistic chance to catch them. The teams are both 3-3-0 head-to-head, and MRU has the edge in wins (20-18). The Bedrock Boys stumbled this year, likely due to playing short-staffed several times. Both sides should be fine-tuning for the playoffs next weekend. I doubt that the T-irds are relying upon Holy Trinity pulling a pair of upsets.

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (20-6-0, 22-7-1, OHT35 #4)
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (3-20-3, 6-24-3, OHT35 #31)

Links:
➤ MRU: MRU hockey teams rank in U SPORTS Top 10 after sweeping Regina
➤ TWU: Team Website

The Bluegars need just two points to clinch 1st in the West Division, and if they can’t get that against Holy Trinity they don’t deserve it. TWU have been pesky lately, however a sweep of MRU would seem highly unlikely. I have been waiting for years to see the Bluegars take a firm step up the CW hierarchy. A 1st place finish would be a massive step. They would get a bye past the quarter-finals and host a semi-final series, likely against the winner of an Alberta v. Calgary series.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Fri Feb 14 MacEwan at Regina 7:00 CST
Fri Feb 14 Manitoba at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Fri Feb 14 U.B.C. at Calgary 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 14 Mount Royal at Trinity Western 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Manitoba at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 MacEwan at Regina 5:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Mount Royal at Trinity Western 3:30 PST/5:30 CST
Sat Feb 15 U.B.C. at Calgary 6:00 MST/7:00 CST

..... /2

 

[Hollywood2]

February 14, 2025: BISONS ALMOST PLAY SPOILER, ALL PLACINGS FINALIZED

MANITOBA BISONS 1
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 2

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ Game report: CW
➤ UofM: Team Website
➤ UofS: Huskies Clinch Canada West East Crown With 22nd Victory (with boxscore)
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies secure division title with one goal win over the Bisons

Quick Summary
Man: M. King (16:09 2nd)
Sask: C. Bertholet (13:40 1st) , K. Sorensen (13:16 2nd)
Goal: Man: Holt (36 shots, 34 saves), Ross (22 shots, 21 saves)

In what turned out to be the best game of the night, the Bisons gave the Banjo-Mutts a darned scare. In the end, a narrow 2-1 victory gave the Mutts a 1st place finish. Every placing in the CW was also finalized across the board.

Michael King (returning to the forward lines after playing defence last weekend) scored his 3rd of the season. Despite driving the Mutts mad with anxiety in the closing minutes, the Herd never really generated a quality shot on goal that would elude Roddy Ross in the Mutts’ goal. After all, Ross leads the CW with a .928 S%. The Bisons won’t get much of a break if Jordan Kooy starts on Saturday, as he is 2nd with a .916 mark.

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

MACEWAN GRIFFINS 3
REGINA COUGARS 5

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MacU: Team Website
➤ UofR: McMillen leads Cougars to 5-3 win over MacEwan (with boxscore)

Quick Summary
MacU: C. Cabana (08:25 1st) , B. Boyle (12:35 1st) , S. Comrie (14:14 1st)
Reg: T. McMillen (06:10 1st) , A. Third (17:02 1st) , A. Fishley (11:43 2nd) , E. Houk (12:58 2nd) , E. Houk (02:17 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (31 shots, 26 saves), Reg: Evanoff (34 shots, 31 saves)

The Family Guys started well, holding a 3-1 lead in the 1st period. However, one must give the Banjo-Cats credit for a comeback victory. Good for them! Unfortunately, this game had no bearing on the final standings. MacEwan will be 3rd and Regina 5th no matter what.

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 0
CALGARY DINOSAURS 4

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UBC: Dinos shutout T-Birds as playoff seedings come into focus (with boxscore)
➤ UofC: Calgary capitalizes on power play with 4-0 win over UBC (with boxscore and video)

Quick Summary
UBC: none
Calg: S. Strange (03:44 2nd) , C. Gengenbach (08:36 2nd) , J. Gricius (17:13 3rd) , C. Gengenbach (19:45 3rd)

Goal: UBC: Mirwald (28 shots, 26 saves), Calg: Terachuk (19 shots, 19 saves)

The T-irds’ loss clinched 1st place for the Bluegars. While the Dinos had no chance to move beyond 3rd in the West Division, they needed to find their form. This was a convincing win. Of note, the UBC powerplay went 0-for-8.

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 8
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS 0

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MRU: Players Bench Athletes of the Week: Feb. 3 - Feb. 9
➤ TWU: this Week in Sparta

Quick Summary
MRU: J. Lies (17:08 1st) , T. Patton (06:14 2nd) , R. Holmes (08:30 2nd) , T. Patton (10:06 2nd) , L. Feist (00:27 3rd) , C. Bouchard (01:28 3rd) , T. Patton (08:14 3rd) , J. Lies (16:10 3rd)
TWU: none
Goal: MRU: Farkas (12 shots, 12 saves), TWU: Sommer (53 shots, 47 saves)

The Bluegars did not want to clinch 1st place by relying upon a UBC loss, so went out and won it in style. I saw the ending of this one, and Holy Trinity looked to be playing out the string.

NEXT UP

Sat Feb 15 Manitoba at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 MacEwan at Regina 5:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Mount Royal at Trinity Western 3:30 PST/5:30 CST
Sat Feb 15 U.B.C. at Calgary 6:00 MST/7:00 CST

STANDINGS

OUT EAST

Thu Feb 13 Guelph 2 Brock 3 (ot)
Fri Feb 14 Nipissing 1 Toronto Metropolitan 5
Fri Feb 14 Windsor 0 Waterloo 1 (ot)
Fri Feb 14 Ottawa 3 Brock 2 (ot)
Fri Feb 14 Carleton 6 Laurier 7 (ot)
Fri Feb 14 Concordia 2 York 0
Fri Feb 14 R.M.C. 3 U.Q.T.R. 6
Fri Feb 14 McGill 2 Ontario Tech 1
Sat Feb 15 Nipissing at Toronto Metropolitan 3:00 EST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Lakehead at Western Ontario 3:00 EST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 McGill at York 3:15 EST/2:15 CST
Sat Feb 15 Queen's at U.Q.T.R. 4:00 EST/3:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Carleton at Waterloo 4:00 EST/3:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Concordia at Toronto 4:00 EST/3:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Windsor at Laurier 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Ottawa at Guelph 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Sun Feb 16 Lakehead at Western Ontario 11:00 AM EST/10:00 AM CST

Fri Feb 14 Dalhousie 4 Acadia 9
Fri Feb 14 St. F.X. 5 Saint Mary's 11
Fri Feb 14 Moncton 4 U.P.E.I. 2
Sat Feb 15 St. F.X. at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 New Brunswick at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Fri Feb 14 Briercrest College 4 Red Deer Poly 2
Fri Feb 14 UA-Augustana 5 Portage College 2
Fri Feb 14 N.A.I.T. 9 Concordia-Edmonton 3
Sat Feb 15 Briercrest College at Red Deer Poly 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Portage College at UA-Augustana 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 6:00 MST/7:00 CST

Fri Feb 14 Simon Fraser 3 Victoria 8
Fri Feb 14 Okanagan 2 Logan Lake 10
Sat Feb 15 Simon Fraser at Vancouver Island 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Feb 15 Logan Lake at Okanagan 6:15 PST/8:15 CST

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

February 15, 2025: BISONS WRAP AS CW TEAMS PLAY OUT THE STRING

MANITOBA BISONS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ Game report: CW
➤ UofM: Team Website
➤ UofS: Huskies Clinch No. 1-Seed in Canada West Playoffs With 4-2 Home Victory (with boxscore)
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies close out season with win over Bisons to finish first overall

Quick Summary
Man: A. Sutter (05:23 1st) , M. King (04:54 3rd)
Sask: C. Petruic (19:23 1st) , C. Petruic (12:33 2nd) , C. Stebbings (17:56 2nd) , J. Penner (16:57 3rd)
Goal: Man: Hawryluk (35 shots, 31 saves), Kooy (19 shots, 17 saves)

This win assures the Banjo-Mutts of home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. They will host the winner of the UBC v MacEwan series in the semi-final round.

The Bisons registered goals from unusual sources. Andre Sutter had his 3rd, and Michael King had his 4th. King ended the season with a bang, scoring in both games this series. For the Banjo-Mutts, Chantz Petruic scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season to lead the way. This was Ross Hawryluk’s first start of the season in the Bison goal. Several players have not dressed for a game in quite a while, so the injury bug appears to be a thing. You used to be able to trace this sort of thing at the Media Stats link, which changed mid-season and is now nothing but blanks.

Now comes the off-season recruit watch. The Bisons need some high level defencemen. As with the rest of the CIS, nobody knows what will happen with the WHL crop. I suspect that the Bisons, like every other team, will be looking at Junior A grads who avoided the WHL to preserve NCAA eligibility.

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

MACEWAN GRIFFINS 0
REGINA COUGARS 3

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MacU (Friday late): After giving up four unanswered goals, Griffins fall 5-3 to Cougars (with boxscore)
➤ UofR: Team Website

Quick Summary
MacU: none
Reg: C. Whyte (13:42 2nd) , E. Pearce (02:41 3rd) , E. Houk (19:29 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (32 shots, 30 saves), Reg: Evanoff (39 shots, 39 saves)

The Banjo-Cats registered their first sweep of the season, at long last. They also hit a double digit point total and moved ahead of Holy Trinity! The moonshine is no doubt flowing in Regina tonight.

The Family Guys have to be concerned about their performance this weekend. They pretty much maxed-out their point total this season. Maybe they’re happy just to be in the playoffs.

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 4
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS 0

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ TWU (Friday late): Spartans Fall to Mount Royal Cougars (with boxscore)
➤ TWU: Team Website

Quick Summary
MRU: J. Lies (07:20 1st) , B. Stevenson (14:00 1st) , T. Zandee (18:47 1st) , R. Fromm-Delorme (16:07 2nd)
TWU: none
Goal: MRU: Laser-Hume (14 shots, 14 saves), TWU: Audet (41 shots, 37 saves)

I don’t think that any team registered back-to-back shutouts in a series this season. So the Bluegars are off to a bye week and will host a semi-final against the Alberta-Calgary winner. One would hope that either opponent would draw well in a high-stakes series.

Holy Trinity played this game in Chilliwack, supposedly a BCHL city with WHL ambitions, for those following the rumour mill that major junior has become. Their announcers also said that they are graduating 9 players. That is massive. It is hard to recruit an equivalent skill level with that kind of volume. Conversely, the Bisons have just three grads.

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 2
CALGARY DINOSAURS 4

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UBC: Team Website
➤ UofC: Dinos head to postseason following sweep of UBC (with boxscore and video)

Quick Summary
UBC: S. Huo (07:15 1st) , J. Wright (11:52 2nd)
Calg: N. King (03:20 1st) , C. Gutenberg (15:43 1st) , D. Melin (15:14 2nd) , J. Gricius (06:31 3rd)
Goal: UBC: Schwebius (29 shots, 25 saves), Calg: Stankowski (30 shots, 28 saves)

The nightcap was a decent enough game, but it lacked an edge due to nothing being at stake. Bedrock U must be happy with this sweep, because they have been somewhat wonky. Being able to ice a full roster and having two veteran goaltenders ready to roll makes them a dangerous quarter-final opponent. For consolation, the T-irds face MacEwan, who were also swept this weekend.

NEXT UP

Fri Feb 21 MacEwan at U.B.C. (times TBA)
Fri Feb 21 Calgary at Alberta (times TBA)

Byes: Saskatchewan and Mount Royal

STANDINGS

OUT EAST

Sat Feb 15 Nipissing 3 Toronto Metropolitan 1
Sat Feb 15 Lakehead 5 Western Ontario 2
Sat Feb 15 McGill 2 York 1
Sat Feb 15 Queen's 0 U.Q.T.R. 3
Sat Feb 15 Carleton 2 Waterloo 3
Sat Feb 15 Concordia 5 Toronto 6 (ot)
Sat Feb 15 Windsor 6 Laurier 4
Sat Feb 15 Ottawa 3 Guelph 0
Sun Feb 16 Lakehead at Western Ontario 11:00 AM EST/10:00 AM CST
Wed Feb 19 playoffs TBA

Sat Feb 15 St. F.X. 3 Acadia 1
Sat Feb 15 New Brunswick 4 Moncton 1
Wed Feb 19 playoffs TBA

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Sat Feb 15 Briercrest College 6 Red Deer Poly 4
Sat Feb 15 Portage College 6 UA-Augustana 4
Sat Feb 15 Concordia-Edmonton 4 N.A.I.T. 2
Fri Feb 21 S.A.I.T. at Briercrest College 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 UA-Augustana at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 Red Deer Poly at Portage College 7:00 MST/8:00 CST

Sat Feb 15 Simon Fraser 1 Vancouver Island 8
Sat Feb 15 Logan Lake 4 Okanagan 3 (ot)
Fri Feb 21 Vancouver Island at Simon Fraser 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 Logan Lake at Victoria 7:30 PST/9:30 CST
Sat Feb 22 Vancouver Island at Okanagan 6:15 PST/8:15 CST

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

OFFICIAL HOLLYWOOD TOP 35 ~ 2024-25 ~ POLL 18 ~ FEBRUARY 16, 2025 (FINAL)

Since this is the final poll of the season, there is no clinging on for another week for the borderline teams. Then, as one team moves up or down, the dominoes fall and soon affect a lot of teams.

There was no movement in the CW or AUS. The CW hasn’t had a team shift categories for quite a while.

The OUA had a lot of shifting, all downward. In the OUA East, Queen’s moved into B level in November and stayed there all season, until now. Ontario Tech barely slipped from B to C+. In the OUA West, a lot of recalculations were caused by the “smoothing” due to nobody having more than one game against an A team. Their only two B teams moved down, Lakehead on points and Windsor due to their location in the standings. They and Western Ontario had identical records in the midst of the division’s 6 playoff teams, all separated by a mere 4 points. This is the first time in a while that the AOA was set aside for a team. Hence, their asterisk.

* indicates total includes a tie game
Conf. indicates overall conference record
Conf-x indicates exhibition record within conference
USP-x indicates exhibition record within USports but outside conference
USP ∑ indicates regular season and exhibition record against USports teams
Other indicates record against non-USports teams
Total indicates record against all teams
AOA is the average of averages against each category of opponent.
~ Indicates results “smoothed” to reduce impact of categories with fewer games. The categories are merged and the value applied to both.

 

[Hollywood2]

February 17, 2025: PLAYOFF SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED

Quarter-Finals
Fri Feb 21 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT (if required)

Semi-Finals
Fri Feb 28 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Fri Feb 28 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CDT
Sat Mar 1 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Mar 1 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CDT
Sun Mar 2 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MDT/6:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Mar 2 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CDT (if required)

Fri Mar 7 CW Final begins - TBA


OUT EAST

End of Regular Season
Sun Feb 16 Lakehead 2 Western Ontario 3

Division Quarter-Finals
Wed Feb 19 Ottawa at Ontario Tech 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Wed Feb 19 U.Q.T.R. at McGill 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Wed Feb 19 Waterloo at Windsor 7:30 EDT/6:30 CDT
Wed Feb 19 W. Ontario at Lakehead 7:30 EDT/6:30 CDT
Fri Feb 21 Ontario Tech at Ottawa 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 McGill at U.Q.T.R. 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 Windsor at Waterloo 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Ontario Tech at Ottawa 4:00 EDT/3:00 CDT (if required)
Sat Feb 22 Waterloo at Windsor 7:30 EDT/6:30 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 U.Q.T.R. at McGill 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT (if required)

Byes: Concordia, Queen’s, Toronto Metropolitan, & Toronto

Division Semi-Finals
Wed Feb 26 - TBA

Quarter-Finals
Wed Feb 19 U.P.E.I. at Saint Mary's 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Thu Feb 20 Acadia at ST. FX 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 Saint Mary's at U.P.E.I. 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 St. FX at Acadia 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 U.P.E.I. at Saint Mary's 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)
Mon Feb 24 Acadia at ST. FX 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

Byes: New Brunswick & Moncton

Links:
➤ CWUAA: MHKY: Playoff Matchups and Quarterfinal Schedule
➤ OUA: 2024-25 OUA Men's Ice Hockey Postseason Schedule
➤ AUS: Schedule and seeding announced for playoff quarterfinals in the 2025 Bell AUS Men's Hockey Championship

 

[Hollywood2]

Preview: February 21-24, 2025: QUARTER-FINALS

The playoffs have arrived in style out east. All six opening games were decided by just one goal. Can the CW follow suit? Be reminded that Saskatchewan and Mount Royal have byes to the semi-final round. Here are the common links:

Live Links:
➤ Video: CanadaWest TV
➤ Friday: Hockey Tech
➤ Saturday: Hockey Tech
➤ Sunday: Hockey Tech

Other Links:
➤ USports: Men’s Hockey Page ∞ Top 10
➤ USports: Playoff Schedule & Results (link not currently on USports menu bar)
➤ CW: Home Page ∞ Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Daily Schedule
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Stats ∞ Schedule/Results/Links
➤ LeagueStat: Media Stats (link has blank data)

CALGARY DINOSAURS (14-10-2, 20-11-2, OHT35 #14)
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (21-6-1, 25-12-2, OHT35 #6)

Links:
➤ UofC: Team Website
➤ UofC: Gengenbach named CW Athlete of the Week
➤ UofA: Team Website
➤ CW: MHKY: Quarterfinal Preview : UofA: re-post

Since these teams played just twice in the regular season due to the CW’s new scheduling format, it seems appropriate that they meet in the playoffs. They have played 30 prior playoff series, and the tally is 22-8 in favour of the Evil Monkeys. This year, the Monkeys swept by scores of 7-3 and 5-1.

The Bedrock Boys have had a strange season, playing several games with a depleted roster. Goaltender Carl Stankowski returned to the line-up late in the season to revive the goaltending duo with Carl Tetachuk which prevailed for three years. Stankowski was 3-0-0, 1.50 GAA, and .930 S%. His career numbers are 23-7-0, 2.11 GAA, and .912 S%.

The Evil Monkeys have immense scoring depth with five of the CW’s Top 20 scorers (Sean Tschigerl, Aidan de la Gorgendiere, Brett Hyland, Alex Thacker, and Josh Prokop). The Dinos have just one, Colson Gengenbach, who was CW Athlete of the Week as per the linked article.

The Apes have to be favoured here, but the Dinos have a fighting chance. The winner of this series will play at Mount Royal next weekend.

MACEWAN GRIFFINS (10-15-3, 13-18-3, OHT35 #18)
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (17-8-3, 22-8-3, OHT35 #9)

Links:
➤ MacU: Playoff preview: How do the Griffins match up with the UBC Thunderbirds?
➤ MacU: With growing confidence against top teams, Griffins set for playoff series vs. defending champ UBC (with videos)
➤ UBC: Defending champion T-Birds host Griffins for Canada West quarter-final

Both teams were swept last weekend, The Family Guys by Regina, and the T-irds by Calgary. As defending champs, UBC has to be favoured. However, the Mutants split their regular season series with UBC winning 6-1 and Mac winning 5-1.

The age-old formula for a serious underdog is to win the close game (usually one of the first two games is close in such match-ups), then hope that you have more healthy bodies available to win the third game in three days. I tend to think that is Mac’s only hope in this one. To their credit, they really maxed out their point totals this year. They were outscored 81-113.

The elite players are firmly on the UBC side. They had four players in the Top 20, albeit none higher than #15 (Sasha Mutala, Jake Wright, Sam Huo, and Ty Thorpe) and goaltender Cole Schwebius was 4th in S% (.907). The Mutants had no scorers in the Top 20, and all three goaltenders had their highlights but were overall below average (Brett Epp .888, Eric Ward .876, and Carson Ironside .850).

The T-irds have to be prohibitive favourites. The winner is off to Saskatown next weekend.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Fri Feb 21 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT (if required)


OUT EAST

Wed Feb 19 Ottawa 3 Ontario Tech 2 (ot)
Wed Feb 19 U.Q.T.R. 1 McGill 2
Wed Feb 19 Waterloo 4 Windsor 5 (ot)
Wed Feb 19 W. Ontario 2 Lakehead 1
Fri Feb 21 Ontario Tech at Ottawa 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 McGill at U.Q.T.R. 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Fri Feb 21 Windsor at Waterloo 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 Ontario Tech at Ottawa 4:00 EDT/3:00 CDT (if required)
Sat Feb 22 Waterloo at Windsor 7:30 EDT/6:30 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 U.Q.T.R. at McGill 7:00 EDT/6:00 CDT (if required)

Byes: Concordia, Queen’s, Toronto Metropolitan, and Toronto.

Wed Feb 19 U.P.E.I. 2 Saint Mary's 3 (ot)
Thu Feb 20 Acadia 2 St. FX 1
Fri Feb 21 Saint Mary's at U.P.E.I. 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 St. FX at Acadia 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 U.P.E.I. at Saint Mary's 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)
Mon Feb 24 Acadia at St. FX 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

Byes: New Brunswick and Moncton.

Links:
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Note: The ACAC and BCIHL are still in the regular season.

Fri Feb 21 S.A.I.T. at Briercrest College 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 UA-Augustana at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 Red Deer Poly at Portage College 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Feb 22 S.A.I.T. at Briercrest College 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 22 Red Deer Poly at Portage College 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 22 N.A.I.T. at UA-Augustana 6:00 MST/7:00 CST

Fri Feb 21 Vancouver Island at Simon Fraser 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Feb 21 Logan Lake at Victoria 7:30 PST/9:30 CST
Sat Feb 22 Vancouver Island at Okanagan 6:15 PST/8:15 CST

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: YouTube Channel

 

[Hollywood2]

February 21, 2025: OVERTIME NIGHT IN THE CW

CALGARY DINOSAURS 1
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
(in overtime)
(Alberta leads series 1-0)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofC: Tetachuk's stellar night spoilt by Game 1 OT loss (with boxscore)
➤ UofA: McClennon's OT winner gives Alberta 1-0 series lead over Calgary (with boxscore)

Quick Summary
Calg: D. Melin (04:07 3rd)
Alta: M. Ward (17:51 2nd) , C. McClennon (11:53 1st OT)
Goal: Calg: Tetachuk (40 shots, 38 saves), Alta: Palmer (23 shots, 22 saves)

Here’s an interesting tidbit: This was the Evil Monkeys’ 33rd straight home playoff win against Bedrock U. But it wasn’t easy. Oddly, the Dinos trailed 1-0 after two periods, but tied the game in a 3rd period where they were outshot 15-3. The overtime was back-and-forth but the goalies came up big. I could see this going either way in Saturday’s rematch.

MACEWAN GRIFFINS 3
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 2
(in overtime)
(MacEwan leads series 1-0)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MacU: Schaufler scores OT winner as Griffins make history with first Canada West playoff win, 3-2 over UBC (with boxscore and video)
➤ UBC: Griffins stun T-Birds in overtime (with boxscore and video)

Quick Summary
MacU: C. Cabana (11:48 1st) , C. Cabana (01:49 2nd) , C. Chorney (05:14 1st OT)
UBC: S. Mutala (13:09 2nd) , C. McDonald (04:20 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (43 shots, 41 saves), UBC: Schwebius (25 shots, 22 saves)

The playoffs haven’t really started until there has been an upset. And here it is! In a testimony to Barry Manilow, Caden “Copa” Cabana paced The Family Guys to a 2-0 lead in this one. However, the T-irds equalized and held a slight edge in play. However, in overtime these Winged Mutants mauled the T-irds and are up 1-0. Nevertheless, I’d still call this series a 50-50 proposition.

NEXT UP

Sat Feb 22 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Feb 22 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT (if required)


OUT EAST

Fri Feb 21 Ontario Tech 2 Ottawa 3 (ot) (Ottawa wins series 2-0)
Fri Feb 21 McGill 5 U.Q.T.R. 2 (McGill wins series 2-0)
Fri Feb 21 Windsor 5 Waterloo 3 (Windsor wins series 2-0)
Sat Feb 22 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT
Sun Feb 23 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT (if required)

The OUA East semi-finals are now set, with Concordia facing McGill in the Battle of Montreal and Queen’s against Ottawa. It was a tough series loss for Ontario Tech, with both games finishing in overtime.

The only series still going is in the OUA West, where Lakehead trails Western Ontario 1-0. The winner of that will face Toronto Metropolitan, and Windsor will gace Toronto in the other semi-final.

Fri Feb 21 Saint Mary's 4 U.P.E.I. 1 (SMU wins series 2-0)
Sat Feb 22 St. FX at Acadia 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Mon Feb 24 Acadia at St. FX 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

The SMUskies now advance to play Moncton in the semi-finals. Acadia leads St. FX 1-0, and winner will face New Brunswick,

Across USports, all four series to have played two games have been sweeps.

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Fri Feb 21 S.A.I.T. 1 Briercrest College 6
Fri Feb 21 UA-Augustana 6 N.A.I.T. 5
Fri Feb 21 Red Deer Poly 14 Portage College 3
Sat Feb 22 S.A.I.T. at Briercrest College 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 22 Red Deer Poly at Portage College 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Feb 22 N.A.I.T. at UA-Augustana 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
(end of regular season)

Fri Feb 21 Vancouver Island at Simon Fraser - ppd
Fri Feb 21 Logan Lake 4 Victoria 5
Sat Feb 22 Vancouver Island at Okanagan 6:15 PST/8:15 CST

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

February 22, 2025: EVERYBODY WENT 1-1 IN THE CW

CALGARY DINOSAURS 3
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
(series tied 1-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofC: Dinos score three unanswered to level quarter-final series (with boxscore)
➤ UofA: Calgary scores three unanswered to level quarter-final series with Alberta (with boxscore)
➤ CW: Championship Central

Quick Summary
Calg: C. Gutenberg (02:44 3rd) , J. Gricius (03:37 3rd) , L. Hammett (13:39 3rd)
Alta: K. Belcourt (02:12 2nd) , C. McClennon (03:52 2nd)
Goal: Calg: Tetachuk (41 shots, 39 saves), Alta: Palmer (27 shots, 24 saves)

The Evil Monkeys seemed to be on their way to yet another elimination of Bedrock U. After two periods they led 2-0 and were outshooting the Dinos 30-16. Two quick early 3rd period goals levelled things, and then it was a simple case of waiting to see who would break the tie. This sets up what should be an entertaining Sunday night on CWTV. This one could go either way.

MACEWAN GRIFFINS 1
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 3
(series tied 1-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MacU: Team Website
➤ UBC: Team Website

Quick Summary
MacU: C. Cabana (03:57 3rd)
UBC: J. Wismer (14:25 1st) , J. Wright (13:24 2nd) , A. Serraglio (17:40 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (23 shots, 21 saves), UBC: Schwebius (18 shots, 17 saves)

Facing elimination, the T-irds did a good job of stifling The Family Guys. This was not nearly as free-wheeling as the Dinos/Monkeys clash. Copa Cabana had his 3rd goal of the series for MacU in the 3rd period to make for an interesting finish. However, UBC’s empty-netter sealed the deal. Barring an imbalance of the scales of injury, I would tend to favour the T-irds in Sunday’s decider.


NEXT UP

Sun Feb 23 Calgary at Alberta 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Feb 23 MacEwan at U.B.C. 7:00 PDT/9:00 CDT (if required)
Fri Feb 28 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 MacEwan or U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Calgary or Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MST/6:00 CST (if required)


OUT EAST

Sat Feb 22 Lakehead 3 W. Ontario 2 (series tied 1-1)
Sun Feb 23 Lakehead at W. Ontario 3:00 EDT/2:00 CDT (if required)

The Thunder-Mutts were down 2-0 but rallied in the 3rd period, including two goals in the last 69 seconds. They outshot the Urban Cowboys 12-4 in the 3rd period. I’d like to see the Mutts advance in this one.

Divisional semi-finals:
McGill at Concordia TBA
Ottawa at Queen’s TBA
W. Ontario or Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan TBA
Windsor at Toronto TBA

Sat Feb 22 St. FX 4 Acadia 6 (Acadia wins series 2-0)

The Axemen came back with four goals in the 3rd period to overcome a 4-2 deficit. I had some hopes early in the season that St. FX could mount a challenge to win this conference. However, they have been the descent, whilst the Cajuns have been on the ascent.

Conference semi-finals:
Acadia at New Brunswick TBA
Saint Mary’s at Moncton TBA

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Sat Feb 22 S.A.I.T. 1 Briercrest College 4
Sat Feb 22 Red Deer Poly 7 Portage College 3
Sat Feb 22 N.A.I.T. 2 UA-Augustana 3
(end of regular season)

Thu Feb 27 Concordia at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly TBA
Sat Mar 1 Concordia at N.A.I.T. TBD
Sat Mar 1 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly TBA
Sun Mar 2 Concordia at N.A.I.T. TBA (if required)
Sun Mar 2 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly TBA (if required)

NOTE: Briercrest College and S.A.I.T. have byes in the quarter-finals.

Sat Feb 22 Vancouver Island 6 Okanagan 3
Fri Feb 28 Logan Lake at Simon Fraser 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Okanagan at Victoria 7:30 PST/9:30 CST
Sat Mar 1 Okanagan at Vancouver Island 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Simon Fraser at Logan Lake 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Vancouver Island at Simon Fraser (to be rescheduled from Feb 21)
(end of regular season)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

February 23, 2025: EVIL MONKEYS AND T-IRDS PREVAIL

CALGARY DINOSAURS 1
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 4
(Alberta wins series 2-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofC: Dinos' season ends with Game 3 loss to Bears (with boxscore)
➤ UofA: de la Gorgendiere, Palmer lead Golden Bears to Game 3 win over Calgary (with boxscore and video)
➤ CW: Championship Central

Quick Summary
Calg: B. Lee (04:44 1st)
Alta: A. de la Gorgendiere (07:36 2nd) , A. de la Gorgendiere (17:14 2nd) , B. Hyland (19:33 2nd) , A. Thacker (15:59 3rd)
Goal: Calg: Tetachuk (26 shots, 22 saves), Alta: Palmer (26 shots, 25 saves)

In the Town of Bedrock, they celeberated early. In Edmontown, they celebrated throughout the 2nd period. It was 1-0 Dinos after one, but the Evil Monkeys took them apart in the 2nd period, scoring three times and outshooting them 12-5. The Apes were led by Adian de la Gorgendiere, with two goals and an assist. Try as they might, in the 3rd period the Dinos could not turn territory into goals and that was that.

This season marks a turning point in Bedrock U’s program, with seven players going: Colson Gengenbach, Jake Gricius, Connor Gutenberg, Jadon Joseph, Noah King, Max Patterson, and Zach Wytinck. How many WHL prospects might they recruit as replacements? This off-season story-line will repeat itself across Usports.

MACEWAN GRIFFINS 3
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 4
(UBC wins series 2-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MacU (Saturday late): Series going the distance after Griffins fall 3-1 in Game 2 to the UBC Thunderbirds (with boxscore and video)
➤ MacU: Valiant Griffins comeback, featuring three unanswered goals, falls short in 4-3 Game 3 loss to UBC (with boxscore and video)
➤ UBC (Saturday late): T-Birds battle back to force game three vs Griffins (with boxscore and video)
➤ UBC: ‘Birds withstand ferocious Griffins comeback to advance to semifinals (with boxscore and video)

Quick Summary
MacU: L. Ryan (07:13 2nd) , L. Ryan (05:32 3rd) , M. Pasemko (16:35 3rd)
UBC: J. Williams (04:27 1st) , T. Rask (06:46 1st) , S. Huo (08:53 1st) , J. Wright (13:01 1st)
Goal: MacU: Epp (44 shots, 40 saves), UBC: Schwebius (22 shots, 19 saves)

The T-irds built up a 4-0 lead in the 1st period. They were totally dominating The Family Guys, outshooting them 38-15 through two periods. MacU did score a shorthanded goal in the 2nd period to break the shutout. A pair of goals in the 3rd period, despite quality scoring chances being at a premium, made for a nervous ending in British California.


NEXT UP

Fri Feb 28 Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MST/6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST (if required)


OUT EAST

Sun Feb 23 Lakehead 5 W. Ontario 2 (Lakehead wins series 2-1)

The away team won all three games in the LU-UWO series. The Urban Cowboys had leads of 1-0 and 2-1, and the game was tied 2-2 entering the 3rd period. The Thunder-Mutts scored shorthanded 13 minutes into the 3rd period, before sealing the deal with two empty-netters.

The division semi-finals are now scheduled:
Wed Feb 26 Toronto Metropolitan at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Wed Feb 26 McGill at Concordia 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Wed Feb 26 Ottawa at Queen’s 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Thu Feb 27 Toronto at Windsor 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Fri Feb 28 Concordia at McGill 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Queen’s at Ottawa 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST
Sat Mar 1 McGill at Concordia 7:00 EST/6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Ottawa at Queen’s 6:30 EST/5:30 CST (if required)

The conference’s semi-final schedule is out. I think the AUS’s tendency to schedule hockey before classes (something they don’t do with any other sport) is to be condemned. They should be able to wrap this round by Sunday, March 2nd. Instead, these “students” will be travelling on weekdays. Poor form.

Thu Feb 27 Acadia at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Acadia at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Mon Mar 3 New Brunswick at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Mon Mar 3 Moncton at Saint Mary’s 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Tue Mar 4 New Brunswick at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST (if required)
Tue Mar 4 Moncton at Saint Mary’s 7:00 AST/5:00 CST (if required)
Thu Mar 6 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST (if required)
Thu Mar 6 Acadia at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST (if required)

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

The ACAC quarter-final schedule is now out:

Thu Feb 27 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Red Deer Poly at UA-Augustana 2:00 MST/3:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 N.A.I.T. at Concordia-Edmonton 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 2:00 MST/3:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST (if required)

NOTE: Briercrest College and S.A.I.T. have byes in the quarter-finals.

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

Preview: February 28 to March 2, 2025: SEMI-FINAL WEEKEND IN THE CW

Usports is now down to the Sweet 16 nationally, with 8 berths in the Nationals still to be allocated. Here are the common links:

Live Links:
➤ Video: CanadaWest TV
➤ Friday: Hockey Tech
➤ Saturday: Hockey Tech
➤ Sunday: Hockey Tech

Other Links:
➤ USports: Men’s Hockey Page
➤ USports: Playoff Schedule & Results (link not currently on USports menu bar)
➤ CW: Home Page ∞ Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Daily Schedule
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Stats ∞ Schedule/Results/Links
➤ LeagueStat: Media Stats (link has blank data)

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (21-6-1, 27-13-2, OHT35 #6)
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (22-6-0, 24-7-1, OHT35 #3)

Links:
➤ UofA: Team Website
➤ CW: HKY: Canada West announces All-Star and All-Rookie Teams : UofA: re-post
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ MRU: Ticket Information

The winners of this weekend's series get a berth in the conference final and the nationals, the losers are gone. The Evil Monkeys are used to playing these series at home, but this time they are off to Calgary to face the Bluegars. Everybody is waiting to see if the Bluegars can finally take the next big step to the nationals. It’s my guess that neutral fans are in their corner. They have been knocking on the door for several years now.

There are a host of all-stars in this series. The Bluegars boast Clay Hanus (all-star defenceman and the conference’s leading scorer) and Connor Bouchard (last year’s leading scorer and MVP). They also have forward Justin Lies on the all-rookie team. Meanwhile, the Evil Monkeys have Aidan de la Gorgendiere (first team defence), Sean Tschigerl (first team and rookie forward), Tyler Palmer (second team and rookie goaltender), and Brett Hyland (second team and rookie forward). Three rookies to make it on the first or second conference all-star teams is a rarity.

In their only meeting of the season, the Bluegars won 4-1 at home, and the Evil Monkeys won 5-2 in Edmontown.

The Monkeys haven’t missed consecutive U-Cups since their drought of 1994 through 1996. After missing out last year, they have a streak at stake. The Bluegars are seeking their first trip to the U-Cup.

All considered, this is a must-watch series.

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (17-8-3, 24-9-3, OHT35 #9)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (23-5-0, 32-6-0, OHT35 #2)

Links:
➤ UBC: Team Website
➤ UBC: Powerhouse battle in Saskatoon as defending champion T-Birds face Huskies in semifinal
➤ CW: HKY: Canada West announces All-Star and All-Rookie Teams : UBC: re-post : UofS: re-post
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ UofS: PREVIEW: MBP Hosts Rivalry Series as Dogs & Thunderbirds Collide in Canada West Semifinals
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies face T-Birds in semi-final series at Merlis Belsher Place (with audio link)

This series doesn’t quite have the sizzle of the other semi-final (for me, at least), but it could be just as good or better. The Banjo-Mutts closed strong (14-1-0) to claim first place overall in the conference, and the T-irds won the title last year. However, UBC looked vulnerable when narrowly getting past MacEwan last weekend. They also lost three straight (against Saskatchewan and Calgary) to close the regular season. The teams did split the final series of the season in Vancouver, UBC winning 3-0 and Sask rebounding 3-2 in a shootout.

There are fewer all-stars in this series, but still a lot. Saskatchewan has forward Chantz Petruic and goaltender Roddy Ross on the first team and Landon Kosior on the second team. The T-irds have forward Sasha Mutala on the second team. Also, Sask had a goaltender tandem and Jordan Kooy could have easily been first or second team all-star as well. (Ross was 10-4-0, 1.99 GAA, .928 S% and Kooy was 12-1-0, 2.13 GAA, .915 S%.)


COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Fri Feb 28 Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MST/6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST (if required)


OUT EAST

Wed Feb 26 Toronto Metropolitan 3 Lakehead 2 (ot) [TMU leads series 1-0]
Wed Feb 26 McGill 6 Concordia 1 [McGill leads series 1-0]
Wed Feb 26 Ottawa 3 Queen’s 4 [Queen’s leads series 1-0]
Thu Feb 27 Toronto at Windsor 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Fri Feb 28 Concordia at McGill 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Queen’s at Ottawa 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST
Sat Mar 1 McGill at Concordia 7:00 EST/6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Ottawa at Queen’s 6:30 EST/5:30 CST (if required)

Thu Feb 27 Acadia at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Acadia at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST

Links:
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

Thu Feb 27 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Red Deer Poly at UA-Augustana 2:00 MST/3:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 N.A.I.T. at Concordia-Edmonton 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 2:00 MST/3:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST (if required)

Fri Feb 28 Logan Lake at Simon Fraser 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Feb 28 Okanagan at Victoria 7:30 PST/9:30 CST
Sat Mar 1 Okanagan at Vancouver Island 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Simon Fraser at Logan Lake 7:00 PST/9:00 CST

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: YouTube Channel

 

[Hollywood2]

February 28, 2025: A PAIR OF OVERTIME GAMES TO START

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 5
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4
(in overtime)
(UBC leads series 1-0)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UBC: Mutala’s overtime winner brings T-Birds one victory away from Canada West Final (with boxscore and video)
➤ UBC: Team Website
➤ UofS: Thunderbirds Take Semifinal Series in 5-4 OT Thriller (with boxscore and video)
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: T-Birds pull out OT win in semi final opener

Quick Summary
UBC: J. Williams (07:29 1st) , S. Atkinson (15:16 2nd) , C. Latimer (03:56 3rd) , S. Mutala (10:49 3rd) , S. Mutala (03:10 1st OT)
Sask: J. Ball (14:25 1st) , C. Petruic (09:30 2nd) , L. Kosior (13:57 2nd) , L. Keeler (13:43 3rd)
Goal: UBC: Schwebius (28 shots, 24 saves), Sask: Ross (42 shots, 37 saves)

Obviously, this was a classic playoff game decided in overtime. But the deciding goal was straight out of a blooper reel. Roddy Ross (Banjo-Mutts’ goalie) came out to play the puck to his left and centred it to T-ird forward Sasha Mutala all alone in front of the net. So, basically, he had an overtime empty-netter for the W. (The video is within the UBC game story.) It was Mutala’s 2nd goal of the night, to go along with an assist. This game was more wide-open than I expected. It was free-wheeling hockey, especially in comparison to the regular season games these teams played against one another.

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
(in overtime)
(MRU leads series 1-0)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofA: Team Website
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars win 3-2 in a overtime thriller, take 1-0 series lead over Golden Bears (with boxscore)
➤ MRU (preview): MHKY: Cougars clinch bye for first time and look to capitalize

Quick Summary
Alta: C. McClennon (10:27 2nd) , A. de la Gorgendiere (11:06 3rd)
MRU: J. Tarzwell (12:24 1st) , R. Holmes (12:03 2nd) , S. Moe (08:06 1st OT)
Goal: Alta: Palmer (30 shots, 27 saves), MRU: Farkas (29 shots, 27 saves)

This was another terrific game. It was more of a traditional playoff atmosphere, and the deciding goal was a nice passing play. MRU plays out of a very tiny arena, which looked absolutely jammed. It appeared smaller than any arena in the MJHL.


NEXT UP

Sat Mar 1 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Alberta at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MST/6:00 CST (if required)


OUT EAST

Thu Feb 27 Toronto 5 Windsor 2 [Tor leads series 1-0]
Fri Feb 28 Concordia 5 McGill 1 [series tied 1-1]
Fri Feb 28 Queen’s 7 Ottawa 3 [Queen’s wins series 2-0]
Sat Mar 1 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST
Sat Mar 1 McGill at Concordia 7:00 EST/6:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Windsor at Toronto 3:00 EST/2:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 Lakehead at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST (if required)

Queen’s is the first side into the Elite Eight, nation-wide. However, since Ottawa is hosting the U-Cup, the OUA’s bronze playoff will also be for a berth in the nationals.

Thu Feb 27 Acadia 2 New Brunswick 5 [UNB leads series 1-0]
Fri Feb 28 Saint Mary’s 2 Moncton 9 [Moncton leads series 1-0]
Fri Feb 28 Acadia 1 New Brunswick 7 [UNB leads series 2-0]
Sat Mar 1 Saint Mary’s at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Mon Mar 3 New Brunswick at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Mon Mar 3 Moncton at Saint Mary’s 7:00 AST/5:00 CST

The AUS semi-finals stink! Very disappointing games. It is ridiculous that they don’t wrap up this round by Sunday night rather than drag out best-of-fives potentially all next week.

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results


OUT WEST

Thu Feb 27 Concordia-Edmonton 4 N.A.I.T. 5 (ot) [NAIT leads series 1-0]
Fri Feb 28 UA-Augustana 3 Red Deer Poly 4 [RDP leads series 1-0]
Sat Mar 1 Red Deer Poly at UA-Augustana 2:00 MST/3:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 N.A.I.T. at Concordia-Edmonton 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 2:00 MST/3:00 CST (if required)
Sun Mar 2 UA-Augustana at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST (if required)

Fri Feb 28 Logan Lake 7 Simon Fraser 3
Fri Feb 28 Okanagan 4 Victoria 6
Sat Mar 1 Okanagan at Vancouver Island 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Mar 1 Simon Fraser at Logan Lake 7:00 PST/9:00 CST

End of regular season.

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

March 1, 2025: BOTH SERIES GOING TO GAME 3

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3
(Series tied 1-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UBC: Huskies force game three with late game power play heroics (with boxscore)
➤ UBC: Team Website
➤ UofS: Huskies Rally with Late Power Play Goals to Edge UBC 3-2, Force Game 3 in Canada West Semi-Final (with boxscore and video)
➤ YouTube: Game Recap | SF2 | Mar 1, 2025
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies force deciding game

Quick Summary
UBC: J. Lee (05:47 1st) , J. Wright (01:26 3rd)
Sask: L. Kosior (19:19 1st) , C. Petruic (15:25 3rd) , V. Loschiavo (19:16 3rd)
Goal: UBC: Schwebius (20 shots, 17 saves), Sask: Kooy (31 shots, 29 saves)

This was a game the T-irds may regret. They led 1-0 and 2-1, with just over 5 minutes to play. Jonny Lambos took a 5 minute major (and game misconduct) at 14:25 of the 3rd period, during which the Banjo-Mutts tied then won the game. Then after the last whistle there was a brouhaha, penalties for which were not shown on the game summary. One Mutt took a two-hander to the arm which I thought would warrant a further major. Jordan Kooy started in goal for the Mutts, maintaining the rotation which prevailed all season. Who gets game 3? Kooy or Ross?

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 0
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 6
(Series tied 1-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofA (Friday late): Bears fall in OT Game 1 of CW Semifinal (with boxscore & video)
➤ UofA: Bears force Game 3 with 6-0 win on Saturday (with boxscore)
➤ UofA: Team Website
➤ MRU: MHKY: Golden Bears dominate Cougars to force game three (with boxscore)
➤ MRU: Team Website

Quick Summary
Alta: S. Tschigerl (03:55 1st) , A. Hall (04:57 1st) , J. Smallwood (07:54 1st) , A. Thacker (16:23 2nd) , A. Thacker (06:11 3rd) , B. Hyland (07:46 3rd)
MRU: none
Goal: Alta: Palmer (33 shots, 33 saves), MRU: Farkas (L) (27 shots, 23 saves), Sims (11 shots, 9 saves)

The tiny arena was jam-packed and sold out yet again, but this time the Bluegar fans were sadly disappointed. The Evil Monkeys dominated the 1st period, getting off to a 3-0 lead. The play was fairly even thereafter but there was no way the Monkeys were going to blow that lead. While there was a one-hour stagger in start times for the Friday and Saturday games, they start at the same time (6:00 CST) Sunday evening.


NEXT UP

Sun Mar 2 U.B.C. at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST
Sun Mar 2 Alberta at Mount Royal 5:00 MST/6:00 CST


OUT EAST

Sat Mar 1 Windsor 2 Toronto 4 (Toronto wins series 2-0)
Sat Mar 1 Lakehead 0 Toronto Metropolitan 3 (TMU wins series 2-0)
Sat Mar 1 McGill 4 Concordia 5 (Concordia wins series 2-0)

The divisional semi-finals are now over in the OUA. Concordia will face Queen’s in the OUA Eastern final, and TMU will face Toronto in the OUA Western final. Schedules are TBA.

Sat Mar 1 Saint Mary’s 3 Moncton 2 (series tied 1-1)
Mon Mar 3 New Brunswick at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Mon Mar 3 Moncton at Saint Mary’s 7:00 AST/5:00 CST

Finally, a close game in the AUS. I suspect that UNB will wrap their series on Monday. SMU and Moncton will say to heck with classes and spend the week travelling to games.

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results


OUT WEST

Sat Mar 1 Red Deer Poly 3 UA-Augustana 2 (RDP wins 2-0)
Sat Mar 1 N.A.I.T. 3 Concordia-Edmonton 4 (series tied 1-1)
Sun Mar 2 Concordia-Edmonton at N.A.I.T. 2:00 MST/3:00 CST

Sat Mar 1 Okanagan 1 Vancouver Island 8
Sat Mar 1 Simon Fraser 4 Logan Lake 1
End of regular season.

Thu Mar 6 Simon Fraser v Okanagan 8:00 PST/10:00 CST (game 1)
Fri Mar 7 Victoria v Vancouver Island 10:30 am PST/12:30 CST (game 2)
Fri Mar 7 Winner Game 1 v Logan Lake 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 3)
Sat Mar 8 Loser Game 2 v Winner Game 3 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 4)
Sun Mar 9 Winner Game 4 v Winner Game 2 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 5)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

March 2, 2025: BLUEGARS AND BANJO-MUTTS SURVIVE

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4
(Sask wins series 2-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UBC: Huskies edge T-Birds in game three, ending UBC’s season with semifinal loss (with boxscore)
➤ UBC: Team Website
➤ UofS: Huskies Punch Ticket to Canada West Final with 4-2 Win Over UBC, Secure U-Cup Berth (with boxscore and video)
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: Saskatchewan hosts Canada West Championship

Quick Summary
UBC: C Douglas (11:31 2nd) , C. McNabb (19:50 2nd)
SSK: P. Gavlas (11:57 1st) , D. Holt (14:52 1st) , T. Wong (16:28 2nd) , C. Petruic (12:49 3rd)
Goal: UBC: Schwebius (25shots, 21 saves), Sask: Kooy (35 shots, 33 saves)

This was a wonderful Sunday night of hockey viewing for me. The games were on at identical times, so I had one on a TV screen and one on the big laptop. The T-irds controlled large swaths of this game but could not solve Jordan Kooy, who for s ome reason was not selected one of three stars.

So, next weekend will see the Banjo-Mutts host the conference championship series. This also assures the Mutts of a trip to Ottawa for the U-Cup.

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 4
(MRU wins series 2-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ UofA: Team Website
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars defeat Alberta to advance to Canada West final, secure spot in national championship (with boxscore)
➤ MRU: Team Website

Quick Summary
Alta: S. Tschigerl (07:09 1st) , B. Hyland (16:03 2nd)
MRU: T. Patton (18:21 1st) , J. Tarzwell (19:38 2nd) , J. Lies (08:44 3rd) , J. Tarzwell (19:55 3rd)
Goal: Alta: Palmer (34 shots, 31 saves), MRU: Farkas (27 shots, 25 saves)

The Bluegars finally came up with that elusive playoff victory, which secures their berth in the CW championship series in Saskatown and the U-Cup in Ottawa. Every series so far has gone the distance, and next weekend I expect the trend to continue. The Sask/UBC series looked a shade better, but nothing would surprise me. The fan base out east will hopefully see MRU face a strong AUS or OUA opponent.

Each team had two powerplay goals when the game was tied 2-2 after two periods. Justin Lies scored the winner at even strength, before Josh Tarzwell sealed the deal with an empty-netter. The Evil Monkeys managed to hold Clay Hanus (a defenceman and CW’s leading scorer) and Connor Bouchard (last year’s CW leading scorer) off the scoreboard

NEXT UP

Fri Mar 7 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan TBD
Sat Mar 8 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan TBD
Sun Mar 9 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan TBD (if required)


OUT WEST

Sun Mar 2 Concordia-Edmonton 4 N.A.I.T. 1 (CUE wins series 2-1)

Hard to believe that of all the schools in Edmontown, only Concordia remains alive. The NAIT Ooks are as much of a dynasty as the Evil Monkeys.

Fri Mar 7 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College TBD
Fri Mar 7 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. TBD
Sat Mar 8 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College TBD
Sat Mar 8 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. TBD
Sun Mar 9 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College TBD (if required)
Sun Mar 9 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. TBD (if required)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

Preview: March 7-9, 2025: MOUNT ROYAL at SASKATCHEWAN

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (22-6-0, 26-8-1, OHT35 #3)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (23-5-0, 34-6-1, OHT35 #2)

Friday, March 7th at 7:00 CST at Merlis Belsher Place, Saskatoon
Saturday, March 8th at 7:00 CST at Merlis Belsher Place, Saskatoon
Sunday, March 9th at 6:00 CST at Merlis Belsher Place, Saskatoon

Live Links:
➤ Video: CanadaWest TV
➤ Friday: Hockey Tech
➤ Saturday: Hockey Tech
➤ Sunday: Hockey Tech

Other Links:
➤ CW: Championship Central
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ MRU: MHKY: Clay Hanus named Canada West Player of the Year, Top Defenceman, and Top Scorer : rp @CW
➤ MRU: Players Bench Athletes of the Week: Feb. 24 - Mar. 3
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars battle for their first Canada West Championship
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ UofS: Ross, Cote Claim 2025 Canada West Major Awards
➤ UofS: PREVIEW: Huskies and Cougars Clash in Best-of-Three Canada West Final : rp @CW
➤ Huskie Fan: A look at what goes into “Game Night” at Merlis Belsher Place
➤ USports: Men’s Hockey Page
➤ USports: Schedule/Links ∞ Standings
➤ CW: Home Page ∞ Season Schedule
➤ CW Hockey Tech: Daily Schedule
➤ CW: Stats ∞ Schedule/Results/Links
➤ LeagueStat: Media Stats

This marks the Bluegars’ first trip to a CW conference final. Of course, they previously won junior and college titles before they entered the CW in 2012-13. Here’s the list:
Calgary Junior B: 1954, 1957
Alberta Junior B: 1954
AJHL: 1972 (regular season, not playoff eligible)
ACAC: 1966, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2011
Alberta 4-West qualifier: 1972 Article
4-West: 1972, 1973, 1974
CCAA: 1988, 1998, 1999, 2001

Meanwhile, the Banjo-Mutts initiated university hockey in the west and won a lot of titles (albeit several of those involkved just 2 to 4 teams). Here’s their list:
Saskatoon Intermediate: 1919
WCIAU: 1921, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1952, 1953, 1959
CWUAA: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2020
University Cup: 1983

So the Bluegars have the edge in accumulated silverware, albeit in lesser competitions.

Since both sides will be at the U-Cup, this series won’t quite have the edge to it that last weekend’s classics had. But I still expect some outstanding hockey. These teams played once, on October 25th and 26th, in Saskatown. MRU won 4-0, Saskatchewan won 4-3.


OUT EAST

TORONTO METROPOLITAN BOLD 2
TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 3
(Toronto leads series 1-0)

Fri Mar 7 Toronto Metropolitan at Toronto 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sun Mar 9 Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EDT/5:15 CDT (if required)

QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS 1
CONCORDIA STINGERS 2
(Concordia leads series 1-0)

Fri Mar 7 Concordia at Queen’s 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Sun Mar 9 Queen’s at Concordia 2:00 EDT/1:00 CDT (if required)

NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 4
ACADIA AXEMEN 1
(March 3rd: UNB wins series 3-0)

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 3
SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 7
(March 3rd: SMU leads series 2-1)

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 5
SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 1
(March 4th: series tied 2-2)

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 3
MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 5
(March 6th: Moncton wins series 3-2)

AUS final series schedule TBA.

Links:
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

 

[Hollywood2]

OUT WEST

Fri Mar 7 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Sat Mar 8 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Sun Mar 9 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 2:00 MDT/3:00 CDT (if required)

Fri Mar 7 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Mar 8 S.A.I.T. at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 9 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)

SIMON FRASER RED LEAFS 5
OKANAGAN LAKERS 6
(game 1 of page playoff, SFU eliminated)

Fri Mar 7 Victoria v Vancouver Island 10:30 am PST/12:30 CST (game 2)
Fri Mar 7 Okanagan v Logan Lake 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 3)
Sat Mar 8 Loser Game 2 v Winner Game 3 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 4)
Sun Mar 9 Winner Game 4 v Winner Game 2 12:30 PDT/2:30 CDT (game 5)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: YouTube Channel

 

[Hollywood2]

March 7, 2025: MUTTS FESTIVE AFTER BIG RALLY

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 6
(Saskatchewan leads series 1-0)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars fall to Huskies in game one of Canada West Championship (with boxscore)
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ UofS: Huskies Surge to 6-3 Comeback Win Over Cougars in Game 1 of Canada West Final (with boxscore and video)
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: Cougars and Huskies set to meet in front of sold out crowds at Merlis Belsher Place
➤ Huskie Fan: No need to panic

Quick Summary
MRU: K. Walker (00:11 1st) , J. Tarzwell (02:26 1st) , J. Lies (10:36 1st)
Sask: L. Kosior (14:43 2nd) , E. Regnier (15:19 2nd) , C. Stebbings (07:56 3rd) , C. Bertholet (10:59 3rd) , V. Loschiavo (14:54 3rd) , C. Stebbings (19:12 3rd)
Goal: MRU: Farkas (27 shots, 22 saves), Sask: Ross (41 shots, 38 saves)

This game had a dramatic turn-about.

The Bluegars looked to be running the Banjo-Mutts out of the rink. They first scored after 11 seconds, and built a 3-0 lead at the intermission. In fact, the deluge continued for most of the 2nd period as well. The Mutts scored a pair of goals 36 seconds apart to make it a deceptive 3-2 scoreline at the 2nd intermission. The shots were 31-18, and that was a fair reflection.

Then the 3rd period happened.

The Mutts scored four more unanswered goals. They never took the lead until 11 minutes in, and the shots were 10-10, but the sense of turn-about was palpable. Nevertheless, the Bluegars did show they could handle the Mutts for long stretches and cananot be counted out.

NEXT UP

Sat Mar 8 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST
Sun Mar 9 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST/5:00 CDT (if required)


OUT EAST

TORONTO METROPOLITAN BOLD 5
TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 4
(Series tied 1-1)

CONCORDIA STINGERS 1
QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS 0
(Concordia wins series 2-0)

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EDT/5:15 CDT
TBD Toronto/TMU loser at Queen’s (3rd place playoff, U-Cup wild-card berth)
TBD Concordia at Toronto/TMU winner (conference championship)

All games in this round of the OUA playoffs have been decided by one goal. Concordia now joins Ottawa, New Brunswick, Moncton, Saskatchewan, and Mount Royal as teams with guaranteed U-Cup berths.

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Moncton at New Brunswick 5:00 ADT/3:00 CDT
Tue Mar 11 New Brunswick at Moncton 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Thu Mar 13 Moncton at New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

CONCORDIA-EDMONTON THUNDER 4
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 8
(Briercrest leads series 1-0)

RED DEER POLY KINGS 5
S.A.I.T. TROJANS 4
(in overtime)
(Red Deer leads series 1-0)

Next up:
Sat Mar 8 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Sat Mar 8 S.A.I.T. at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sun Mar 9 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 2:00 MDT/3:00 CDT (if required)
Sun Mar 9 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT (if required)

VICTORIA VIKINGS 1
VANCOUVER ISLAND MARINERS 1
(game 2 of page playoff, VIU to final, UVic to semi-final)

OKANAGAN LAKERS 4
LOGAN LAKE MINERS 5
(in overtime)
(game 3 of page playoff, OKL eliminated, LLM to semi-final)

Next up:
Sat Mar 8 Victoria v Logan Lake 12:30 PST/2:30 CST (game 4)
Sun Mar 9 Winner Game 4 v Vancouver Island 12:30 PDT/2:30 CDT (game 5)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

March 8, 2025: BLUEGARS FORCE DECIDING GAME

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 1
(in overtime)
(Series tied 1-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MRU: MHKY: Hanus' overtime heroics force game three in Canada West Championship (with boxscore and video)
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ UofS: Cougars Stun Huskies in Overtime, Setting Up Game 3 Showdown for Canada West Title (with boxscore and video)
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: Game two, in front of a record crowd, goes to extra-time

Quick Summary
MRU: T. Patton (15:16 3rd) , C. Hanus (08:52 1st OT)
Sask: T. Wong (16:42 1st)
Goal: MRU: Farkas (24 shots, 23 saves), Sask: Ross (33 shots, 31 saves)

It seems appropriate that this series will go to a one-game, winner -take-all showdown on Sunday night. This was a goaltender’s dual. The Banjo-Mutts held a 1-0 lead for most of the night. A late goal by Teague Patton tied it for the Bluegars. However, 90 ticks later Josh Tarzwell got 5 and game for a bad head-shot. The Bluegars did a good job killing the penalty, then MVP Clay Hanus scored in overtime.

NEXT UP

Sun Mar 9 Mount Royal at Saskatchewan 6:00 CST/7:00 CDT (if required)


OUT EAST

No games.

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Toronto at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EDT/5:15 CDT
TBD Toronto/TMU loser at Queen’s (3rd place playoff, U-Cup wild-card berth)
TBD Concordia at Toronto/TMU winner (conference championship)

No games.

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Moncton at New Brunswick 5:00 ADT/3:00 CDT
Tue Mar 11 New Brunswick at Moncton 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Thu Mar 13 Moncton at New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

CONCORDIA-EDMONTON THUNDER 5
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 3
(Series tied 1-1)

S.A.I.T. TROJANS 3
RED DEER POLY KINGS 4
(Red Deer wins series 2-0)

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Concordia-Edmonton at Briercrest College 2:00 MDT/3:00 CDT (if required)

LOGAN LAKE MINERS 3
VICTORIA VIKINGS 1
(game 4 of page playoff, UVic to final, LLM eliminated)

Next up:
Sun Mar 9 Victoria v Vancouver Island 12:30 PDT/2:30 CDT (game 5)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results : YouTube

 

[Hollywood2]

March 9, 2025: BANJO PARTY IN SASKATOWN TONIGHT

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 0
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3
(Saskatchewan wins series 2-1)

Links:
➤ Summary: Game Centre
➤ MRU: Team Website
➤ UofS: Team Website
➤ Huskie Fan: Men’s Hockey Page

Quick Summary
MRU: none
Sask: V. Loschiavo (10:09 3rd) , E. Regnier (14:05 3rd) , T. Prefontaine (18:44 3rd)
Goal: MRU: Farkas (26 shots, 24 saves), Sask: Ross (30 shots, 30 saves)

Half-way through the 3rd period, this game was tied 0-0. It was looking like overtime. Once again, the start belonged to the Bluegars, who were unable to cash in. The shots were 24-11 in their favour after two periods. But the Banjo-Mutts took over in the 3rd, outshooting them 16-6 and sealing the deal with an empty-netter.

I’ll add the game story links once available.

This is pure guess-work, but here is my preliminary forecast of the U-Cup seedings, keeping in mind the “automatics” they have:

1 New Brunswick (if they beat Moncton)
2 Saskatchewan
3 Concordia/Toronto Metropolitan winner
4 Concordia/Toronto Metropolitan loser
5 Mount Royal
6 Ottawa (could swap with Queen’s)
7 Moncton (if they lose to UNB)
8 Queen’s/Toronto winner

OUT EAST

TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 1
TORONTO METROPOLITAN BOLD 2
(TMU wins series 2-1)

Next up:
Fri Mar 15 Concordia at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EDT/5:15 CDT (conference championship)
Fri Mar 15 Toronto at Queen’s 7:30 EDT/6:30 CDT (3rd place playoff, U-Cup wild-card berth)

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 3
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 5
(New Brunswick leads series 1-0)

Next up:
Tue Mar 11 New Brunswick at Moncton 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Thu Mar 13 Moncton at New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT (if required)

Links:
➤ USports: Presto Schedule & Results
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

OUT WEST

CONCORDIA-EDMONTON THUNDER 1
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 4
(Briercrest wins series 2-1)

Next up (best-of-five final):
Fri Mar 14 Red Deer Poly at Briercrest College TBA
Sat Mar 15 Red Deer Poly at Briercrest College TBA
Sun Mar 16 Red Deer Poly at Briercrest College TBA
Fri Mar 21 Briercrest College at Red Deer Poly TBA (if required)
Sat Mar 22 Briercrest College at Red Deer Poly TBA (if required)

VICTORIA VIKINGS 3
VANCOUVER ISLAND MARINERS 0
(UVic wins BCIHL championship)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results
➤ BCIHL: Schedule & Results

 

[Hollywood2]

March 17, 2025: NEWS FROM ABROAD

After the CW ended, the rest had t play catch-up.

OUT EAST

March 15, 2025

CONCORDIA STINGERS 4
TORONTO METROPOLITAN BOLD 1
(Queen’s Cup - single game championship)

TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 0
QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS 4
(Queen’s wins bronze and U-Cup berth)

This was a season where the OUA East dominated the OUA West, and that showed in these two games. So the Concordia in Montreal, TMU, Queen’s, and host Ottawa all qualify.

March 11, 2025

NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 3
MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 2
(New Brunswick wins series 2-0)

Both sides qualify for the U-Cup. Ranking Moncton is difficult.

Links:
➤ USports: U SPORTS announces eligibility reforms in men’s hockey
➤ USports: UNB top seed as they seek men’s hockey hat trick
➤ OUA: Playoff Schedule & Results
➤ AUS: Playoff Schedule & Results

UNIVERSITY CUP

The brackets are announced as per the picture!

OUT WEST

RED DEER POLY KINGS 3
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 2
(in double overtime)
(Red Deer Poly leads series 1-0)

RED DEER POLY KINGS 0
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 5
(Series tied 1-1)

RED DEER POLY KINGS 2
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 1
(Red Deer Poly leads series 2-1)

Oddly the first three games were in Briercrest, and the last two in Red Deer.

Next up (best-of-five final):
Fri Mar 21 Briercrest College at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Mar 22 Briercrest College at Red Deer Poly 5:00 MDT/6:00 CDT (if required)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results

NON-HOCKEY NATIONALS

Three major Usports titles were decided on the weekend, all won by the CW:
Men’s basketball: Victoria whipped Calgary
Women’s basketball: Saskatchewan clobbered Carleton
Women’s volleyball: Manitoba beat Montreal on home court before a sell-out

 

[Hollywood2]

March 21, 2025: U-CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Here's the quarter-final recap. Two games Thursday, two more Friday. Thursday was the day of surprise upsets, Friday was the day of the return to non-overtime hockey.

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 4
TORONTO METROPOLITAN BOLD 5
(in 5 overtimes)

Links:
➤ USports: UNB top seed as they seek men’s hockey hat trick
➤ USports: Surgrue ends longest U SPORTS men’s hockey game; TMU advances to U CUP semifinal (with video & boxscore)
➤ MRU: MHKY: U Cup quarter-final preview: MRU Cougars vs. TMU Bold
➤ MRU: Fighting through setbacks: Robbie Holmes and the Cougars’ championship pursuit
➤ MRU: Mount Royal’s Clay Hanus named U SPORTS Player and Defenceman of the Year
➤ MRU: MHKY: TMU outlasts Mount Royal in quintuple OT thriller
➤ TMU: Bold Win Longest Game in U SPORTS History, Besting Mount Royal in Fifth Overtime (with boxscore)

This was quite a start to the tournament. First, the lack of LeagueStat availability and the OUA's reliance on low quality web boxscores is really annoying. They claimed that half the goals here were shorthanded.

Anyhow, these teams were fairly free-wheeling for three periods, then put in 83 minutes of scoreless overtime, a USports record. The Bluegars blew leads of 3-1 and 4-2, the latter in the 3rd period. In my view, they drew a favourable opponent here (the OUA West's sole rep) but could not get the job done. Combined with the loss by the Squirrels, a golden opportunity has been lost.

Good thing this was played on Thursday, so that the Bald have a chance to recuperate.

OTTAWA GEEGEES 3
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 2
(in overtime)

Links:
➤ USports: Séguin scores two, Gee-Gees dethrone champs to advance to U Cup semifinal (with video & boxscore)
➤ UofO: RECAP: #8 Gee-Gees dethrone two-time defending champions in OT shocker
➤ UNB: Ready To Defend
➤ UNB: REDS Upset In U Cup Quarter-Finals (with video & boxscore)

I was focussed on the Jets v Oilers when this one was on, but from what I saw it looked like the Squirrels were going to eventually take this game over. The shots were 43-22, which reflected the play. Hopefully, the people of Ennui on the Rideau will come out to see the Saturday afternoon game against the Former Rams.

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 2
CONCORDIA STINGERS 4

Links:
➤ USports: Stingers use big third period to ground the Aigles Bleus (with video & boxscore)
➤ UM: End of season for the Blue Eagles after a great run
➤ CU: Men's hockey come back to beat Moncton, advance to national semifinal

This was the game I watched the least, being a Friday matinee. The Eggs had a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd. Two quick goals early in the 3rd put the Bees in front, before they salted it away with an empty-netter.

QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4

Links:
➤ USports: Saskatchewan edges Queen’s in University Cup quarterfinal (with video & boxscore)
➤ UofS: PREVIEW: Huskies Clash With Gaels in University Cup Quarter-Finals
➤ UofS: Roddy Ross Named U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian Goaltender
➤ CW: Chantz Petruic named WHL Grad of the Month for February/March
➤ UofS: Holt, Ross Propel Huskies Past Gaels, 4-2, Into University Cup Semifinals (with boxscore)
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies make final preparations for Queen’s
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies overcome a pair of one goal deficits to defeat Queens
➤ QU: Gaels’ Season Ends in U SPORTS Quarterfinal Loss to Saskatchewan (with boxscore)

This was similar to the afternoon game, with an empty-netter finalizinjg matters. The Banjo-Mutts seemed somewhat disorganized. However, they used some basic physicality to subdue the Queens. On Saturday night the Mutts will face the Bees in a battle of the two remaining conference champions.

OUT WEST

BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS 1
RED DEER POLY KINGS 3
(Red Deer Poly wins series 3-1)

Links:
➤ ACAC: Boxscore

This wraps the ACAC season. Too bad the Clippers could not claim their first title. Red Deer rallied this year from mid-ranks to champions once again.