2025-26 Manitoba Bisons/USports

[Hollywood2]

Preview: March 19-21, 2026: UNIVERSITY CUP & ACAC

The final weekend preview of the year is upon us. All we have left is the 8 teams at the U-Cup, and the two in the ACAC final. Here are the links:

Links:
➤ USports: University Cup Page
➤ USports: Update: Colton Smith named Co-rookie of the Year in Men’s Hockey
➤ USports: National honour caps standout season for Concordia captain Simon Lavigne
➤ USports: Moncton’s Mika Cyr named U SPORTS men’s hockey Player of the Year
➤ USports: Saskatchewan named top dogs in men’s hockey
➤ USports: U SPORTS Men's Hockey Results
➤ CBC: YouTube Page : CBC Gem : CBC.ca

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (20-6-2, 2-3-0, 26-11-2, OHT35 #4)
WINDSOR LANCERS (18-7-3, 4-1-0, 22-12-3, OHT35 #17)

Links:
➤ CBC: YouTube Livestream
➤ MRU: Players Bench Athlete of the Week: Mar 3 - Mar 9
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars return to the national stage at the U SPORTS University Cup
➤ CTV: ‘The biggest stage in Canada’: MRU Cougars have sights set on men’s national hockey title
➤ Windsor: U SPORTS Championship Preview: Men's Hockey Quarterfinal

After a late season surge got the Bluegars firts place in the CW East, they were less than world-beaters in the playoffs. They narrowly beat their crosstown rivals from Bedrock U, then were handled by the Banjo-Mutts in the final. Windsor had a fairly consistent season. The quality of the OUA West is questionable. There were no East-West interlocking games in the OUA this year, until the Queen’s Cup. Windsor had a close loss to UQTR, and TMU had a close loss to Queen’s. So maybe this whole division is under-rated.

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES (16-10-4, 0-2-0, 18-13-4, OHT35 #11)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (19-7-2, 6-0-0, 31-9-4, OHT35 #7)

Links:
➤ CBC: YouTube Livestream
➤ UofS: CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: Canada West Champion Huskies Head to Halifax in Pursuit of U-Cup Title
➤ UofS: Conner Roulette Named Clare Drake Award Recipient as U SPORTS Rookie of the Year; Kosior Recognized as All-Canadian
➤ CW: Saskatchewan goaltender Nolan Maier named WHL Grad of the Month
➤ Huskie Fan: University Cup preparations
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies are top seed for University Cup
➤ Huskie Fan: Roulette named U SPORTS men’s hockey rookie of the year
➤ Huskie Fan: Live Audio
➤ SMU: Host Huskies draw No. 8 seed at U SPORTS Men's Hockey National Championship
➤ SMU: Reid Valade named U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian

The Huskies v Huskies match-up should prompt the Halifax City Council to shelter all fire hydrants. The SMUskies are in as host, and lost out in the AUS quarter-finals. They are the lowly #8 seed. However, in the OHT35 I had them very close to Sask all season.

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS (19-9-2, 4-2-0, 26-13-2, OHT35 #9)
U.Q.T.R. PATRIOTES (20-5-3, 5-1-0, 28-7-3, OHT35 #3)

Links:
➤ CBC: YouTube Livestream
➤ Moncton: The Blue Eagles turn to the U SPORTS National Championship
➤ Moncton: Mika Cyr named U SPORTS Player of the Year in Men’s Hockey
➤ Moncton: Blue Eagles ready to take on challenge at the National Championship in Halifax
➤ UQTR: Team Website

This is a battle of the French. The Eggs appear better than the typical #2 seed from the AUS this year. UQTR is a perennial qualifier.

QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS (14-13-1, 6-2-0, 31-18-2, OHT35 #13)
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS (20-9-1, 5-1-0, 30-11-2, OHT35 #6)

Links:
➤ CBC: YouTube Livestream
➤ Queen’s: Team Website
➤ UNB: REDS No. 2 Seed At U CUP

The other three quarter-finals have a clever moniker, blue v blue, husky v husky, French v French. This one has nothing going for it. Queen’s were a fringe playoff team, only qualifyin on the last day of the regular season by eating Nipissing. Then they caught fire, winning the OUA bronze game. The Squirrels are a traditional power, humbled in the early going. But they rallied to finish 1st in the AUS and won 5-of-6 playoff games.


COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Thu Mar 19 Mount Royal v Windsor 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Thu Mar 19 Saint Mary’s v Saskatchewan 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Fri Mar 20 Moncton v UQTR 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Fri Mar 20 Queen’s v New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 Thursday Winners 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 Friday Winners 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sun Mar 22 Bronze Game 9:00 am ADT/7:00 am CDT
Sun Mar 22 Queen’s v New Brunswick 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT


OUT WEST

Link:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results

This is a best-of-five series, which SAIT leads 2-0.

Next Up:
Fri Mar 20 S.A.I.T. at Red Deer Poly 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. 7:15 MDT/8:15 CDT *if necessary
Sun Mar 22 S.A.I.T. at Red Deer Poly 5:00 MDT/6:00 CDT *if necessary

 

[Hollywood2]

March 19, 2026: QUARTER-FINALS BEGIN

Tournament Links:
➤ USports: Tournament Main Page
➤ USports: U SPORTS Men's Hockey Results
➤ CBC: YouTube Page (links to livestreams & replays)

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
WINDSOR LANCERS 4

Links:
➤ USports: Lancers edge Cougars to advance to University Cup semifinal
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ USports: Summary (PDF)
➤ MRU: MHKY: Cougars' season comes to an end with loss to Lancers in national quarterfinal (with boxscore)
➤ UofW: Men's hockey knocks off Cougars in U SPORTS quarterfinal (with boxscore)

Through two periods this game was tied 1-1, and the Bluegars held a 23-11 lead in shots on goal. It seemed that it was just a matter of time before they would break through. However, the Lancers scored two goals 11 seconds apart early in the 3rd. Try as they might, the Bluegars could not overcome the deficit. In the end, they outshot the Lancers 41-20. This game was reminiscent of the semi-final series the Bluegars had with Calgary where they dominated play but were always tight on the scoreboard.

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 4
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3
(in overtime)

Links:
➤ USports: Saint Mary’s outlasts Saskatchewan in overtime dogfight
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ USports: Summary (PDF)
➤ UofS: Huskies' Season Comes to a Close With Overtime Loss to Saint Mary's in U Cup Quarterfinal (with boxscore)
➤ Huskie Fan: Huskies eliminated at University Cup
➤ SMU: Ritchie's OT winner lifts SMU to semifinal over Saskatchewan in U CUP dogfight : RP @AUS (with boxscore)

The Banjo-Mutts have patented the overtime game at the U-Cup. It seems to happen every year they qualify. Although the Mutts came out strong, the SMUskies gradually took over the play as the 1st period wore on. 15 minutes into the 2nd period, and the SMUskies were up 3-0 and the game looked over. However, the Sask trainers must have found a secret supply of Granny’s moonshine. The Banjo-Mutts rallied and tied the game, and could have even taken the lead. The shot clock tells the tale. The SMUskies were up 22-16 after two periods (after Sask’s late period rally), but in the 3rd the shots were 14-4 for the Banjo-Mutts. The overtime was very much back and forth, and was decided before the 3-on-3 segment would have taken place. The SMUskies have at times been much better than an 8th seed this season. They could slide their way into the championship game, which would certainly boost attendance.


NEXT UP
Fri Mar 20 Moncton v UQTR 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Fri Mar 20 Queen’s v New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 Windsor v Saint Mary’s 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 Friday Winners 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sun Mar 22 Bronze Game 9:00 am ADT/7:00 am CDT
Sun Mar 22 Gold Game 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT

 

[Hollywood2]

March 20, 2026: FINAL FOUR IS SET

Tournament Links:
➤ USports: Tournament Main Page
➤ USports: U SPORTS Men's Hockey Results
➤ CBC: YouTube Page (links to livestreams & replays)

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 0
U.Q.T.R. PATRIOTES 4

Links:
➤ USports: Patriotes blank Aigles Bleus to reach semifinals
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ UdeM: The Blue Eagles season ends at the national championship
➤ UQTR: Team Website

This has to rate as a big disappointment for the Eggs. They challenged for first in the AUS all year only to lay an egg in the nationals. UQTR was toying with them after building an early lead. It was 3-0 after one period.

QUEEN’S GOLDEN GAELS 2
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 5

Links:
➤ USports: Reds roll past Gaels to book semifinal date with UQTR
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ QU: Gaels fall to UNB Reds in quarterfinals of U SPORTS Men's Hockey Championship
➤ UNB: REDS Over Gaels In U Cup Quarter-Final : RP @AUS (with boxscore)

This one-sided affair brought to an end a disappointing Friday slate of games. The Squirrels outshot the Gracious Queens 20-7 in the first period, and led 2-0. It could have been worse. You have to give the Stormy Ones credit for not giving up. They did come within 3-2 after 8 minutes of the third period. However, when you get just 7 shots per period, a rally is not particularly likely.


NEXT UP
Sat Mar 21 Windsor v Saint Mary’s 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT
Sat Mar 21 UQTR v New Brunswick 7:00 ADT/5:00 CDT
Sun Mar 22 Bronze Game 9:00 am ADT/7:00 am CDT
Sun Mar 22 Gold Game 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT


OUT WEST

Link:
➤ ACAC: Schedule & Results

S.A.I.T. TROJANS 3
RED DEER KINGS 0
(SAIT wins series 3-0)

Link:
➤ ACAC: Boxscore

The 2nd place Condoms win the game, and series, 3-0 to claim their first ACAC title since 2014. Since then, ACAC titles have gone in streaks. Red Deer won the last three, MacEwan had a 3-peat before moving to the CW, and NAIT took all the rest.

So this year’s conference champions are:
CWUAA: Saskatchewan Huskies
OUA: U.Q.T.R. Patriotes
AUS: New Brunswick Reds
BCIHL: Vancouver Island Mariners
ACAC: S.A.I.T. Trojans

 

[Hollywood2]

March 21, 2026: MORE BLOW-OUTS IN SEMI-FINAL ROUND

Tournament Links:
➤ USports: Tournament Main Page
➤ USports: U SPORTS Men's Hockey Results
➤ CBC: YouTube Page (links to livestreams & replays)

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 4
WINDSOR LANCERS 1

Links:
➤ USports: Huskies ride fast start past Lancers into University Cup final
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ SMU: Boyd scores twice as Huskies defeat Lancers 4-1 to advance to U CUP Final (with boxscore)
➤ UofW: Lancers fall to host SMU in semifinal (with boxscore)

This followed a familiar, and unfortunate, pattern in this year’s U-Cup. The SMUskies built up a commanding 3-0 first period lead, blanked the second, and then hung on in the third for a fairly comfortable win. Even though down 3-0, the Lancers were outshot 12-5 in a scoreless second period. There was really no feeling on my part that Windsor had a reasonable shot at a comeback. They neve gave up, outshooting SMU 11-4 in the third.

U.Q.T.R. PATRIOTES 7
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 4

Links:
➤ USports: Patriotes erupt early, down UNB to reach national final
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ UQTR: Team Website
➤ UNB: REDS Fall In U Cup Semi-Final

UQTR built a 4-0 first period lead on NINE (9) shots on goal. It was then 7-2 until mid-third period. A pair of Squirrel goals improved the look of the scoreline. At the end, UNB led on the shot clock 27-23. Not one for goaltenders’ scrap books.

In an oddity, UNB came out in red jerseys as they were designated as "home" team for this game. UQTR wore black, but were forced to change into orange as it is their designated "away" jersey. They do not have white jerseys. So UQTR had to change after warm-ups.


NEXT UP
Sun Mar 22 Bronze Game: Windsor v New Brunswick 9:00 am ADT/7:00 am CDT
Sun Mar 22 Gold Game: Saint Mary’s v U.Q.T.R. 1:00 ADT/11:00 CDT

I doubt that I will be up at 7:00 a.m. to watch that bronze medal game. Oddly, the Jets v Rangers NHL game also starts at 11:00 a.m.

 

[Hollywood2]

March 22, 2026: U-CUP FINAL REQUIRED EXTRA TIME

Tournament Links:
➤ USports: Tournament Main Page
➤ USports: U SPORTS Men's Hockey Results
➤ CBC: YouTube Page (links to livestreams & replays)

BRONZE GAME

WINDSOR LANCERS 1
NEW BRUNSWICK REDS 5

Links:
➤ USports: >
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ UofW: Men's hockey places fourth at U SPORTS (with boxscore)
➤ UNB: REDS Earn Bronze Medal At U SPORTS Championship (with boxscore) : RP @AUS

I saw just a bit of this one because it was on at 7:00 a.m. CDT. The Squirrels were running away with it by the time I tuned in, so I finished it off on my bedside tablet. The score after one period was 3-0, and the shots were 10-3, both in favour of UNB. Thereafter, they seemed to be happy to make it a low-event affair and coast to a bronze medal. Over the last two periods, the shots were just 12-11 in favour of UNB.

GOLD GAME

SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 2
U.Q.T.R. PATRIOTES 3
(in overtime)

Links:
➤ USports: Patriotes erupt early, down UNB to reach national final
➤ USports: Box Score
➤ SMU: REDS Fall In U Cup Semi-Final (with boxscore) : RP @AUS
➤ UQTR: Team Website

Finally, a close game! This hadn’t happened since the SMUskies beat the Banjo-Mutts on Thursday night. There was no jersey controversy in this one. UQTR showed up in orange, not black, and the SMUskies were in their mostly white with maroon stripes, and impossible to read numbers. I must say, the combination did look good.

UQTR never led the game until they won it in overtime. Twice, the SMUskies scored to take the lead. Twice, UQTR tied it up. The SMUskies had the edge in play, in fact coming dangerously close to winning at the end of regulation time. The shots were 47-33 in favour of SMU, which was in stark contrast to the low-action bronze game.

I admit that I have a problem with a host team winning this when they would not have otherwise qualified. Last year Ottawa won as host, and this year SMU was knocked out in the AUS quarter-finals by UPEI.


NEWS AROUND THE CW

Post-elimination, most teams had a new link or two from their websites. I previously updated the Bisons, and the Bluegars and Banjo-Mutts had U-Cup news. Alberta and Holy Trinity have nothing new. Here’s the rest:

Links:
➤ UofC: Dinos' Kydd, goaltenders earn Canada West major awards
➤ UofC: Captain Kydd signs first pro deal with Cincinnati Cyclones
➤ UofC: Kydd concludes Dinos career with U SPORTS All-Canadian honours

In the Town of Bedrock, post-season stories have continued to roll out. Captain Kydd, like Captain Hooker, signed a pro deal and scored in the ECHL. They also summarized all the award-winners:

Senator Joseph A. Sullivan Trophy (Player of the Year): Mika Cyr, Moncton
Clare Drake Award (Rookie of the Year): Conner Roulette, Saskatchewan
Defenceman of the Year: Simon Lavigne, Concordia
Goaltender of the Year: Thomas Couture, Acadia
Dr. Randy Gregg Award (Student-athlete Community Service): Blake Gustafson, Alberta
R.W. Pugh Fair Play Award (Most Sportsmanlike Player): Conor Frenette, UQTR
FOX 40 Coach of the Year: Derek Cormier, Moncton

First Team All-Canadians
F Sasha Mutala UBC
F Nolan Dann Guelph
F Mika Cyr Moncton
D Jake Lee UBC
D Simon Lavigne Concordia
G Thomas Couture Acadia

Second Team All-Canadians
F Reid Valade Saint Mary's
F Conor Frenette UQTR
F Adam Kydd Calgary
D Charlie Callaghan StFX
D Landon Kosior Saskatchewan
G Max Donoso Windsor

All-Rookie Team
F Jeremy D'Astous Moncton
F Colton Smith Windsor
F Conner Roulette Saskatchewan
D Luca D'Amato UNB
D Jace Weir UBC
G Andrew Ness Laurier

Links:
➤ MacU: Three Stars: Shimoda, Jean Jr., Inglis earn honours
➤ MacU: Dowhaniuk first Griffins MHKY player recognized by Canada West with spot on all-rookie team

I think that The Family Guys had a men’s hockey player awarded a Three Stars honour every week this year.

Links:
➤ UofR: Cougars open 2026-27 recruiting class with three commitments
➤ UofR: Niverville's Merik Boles commits to men's hockey
➤ UofR: Kurt Rookes commits to Cougars

The Banjo-Cats graduated almost half of their roster, and that includes most of their best players. So from that angle, it is good to see a host of announcements from them.

Noah Asmundson (F) - Estevan Bruins (SJHL)
Riley Fequet (F) - Winkler Flyers/Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL)
Rylan Pearce (D) - Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)/Regina Pats (WHL)
Merik Boles (F) - Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL)
Kurt Rookes (F/D) - Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)

Rookes also had some prior time with Wenatchee and Swift Current of the WHL, and Asmundson had prior time with Niverville in the MJHL. So 4-out-of-5 have some MJHL history.

Links:
➤ UBC: Sasha Mutala wins CW Player of the Year, Lee, Mirwald and Butenschon all honoured with major awards

After having the best season of anybody, the T-irds fell apart against Sask in the CW semi-finals, thus not even getting an appearance an the U-Cup. The linked story gives a lot of background on each of their CW and USports acknowledgements.