[Hollywood2]

The Link Post has been updated by adding the Acadia fan site and updating all links to 2012-13 that had not previously been updated. It has every link you need to follow CIS hockey. If a link should be added, let me know and I will do so.


The Crowchild Classic is now reported at The Boxscore News. This is a multi-sport competition between Calgary's two universities. Also, the MRU link for Friday's game now has stories for both weekend games, rather than a separate link for each game.


A nice game story on Ryerson's debut v Queen's at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (the former Maple Leaf Gardens) is up at The CIS Blog. It is a nice story about both the game and the atmosphere.


The AUS decision to cap rosters seems no more sensible to me today than it did when announced. It is further discussed at The Halifax Herald and The CIS Blog. Not much new in the stories. The AUS says it is for "cost cutting". I guess when you get down to 15 or 16 skaters for a road trip, you can save the expense of a room.

Also, The CIS Blog has a complete AUS Preview, which has arrivals, departures, and outlooks for every AUS team. Their forecast:
1 - UNB
2 - Acadia
3 - Moncton
4 - St. F-X
5 - St. Mary's
6 - UPEI
7 - St. Thomas
8 - Dalhousie

[Hollywood2]

WEEKEND PREVIEW


MANITOBA BISONS (3-3-0, 6-5-0-1, OHT35 #7)
CALGARY DINOS (4-2-0, 7-5-0, OHT35 #12)

Friday, October 26th, 8:00 p.m. CDT @ Calgary
Saturday, October 27th, 7:00 p.m. CDT @ Calgary

Live Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [no on-line audio or video]

Manitoba Links:
|> [Team Site] : [Roster] : [Schedule/Results]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Calgary Links:
|> [U of C Preview Story] : [reposted at CW]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Other Links:
|> [CIS Site] : [CIS Schedule/Results/Links]
|> [CW Site] : [CW Schedule/Results/Links]
|> [LeagueStat Daily] : [CW Weekly Media Notes #4]
|> [Every Link Re: CIS Hockey]

This weekend marks the beginning of the scheduling cross-over. Thus far, the league has had two groups playing a round-robin. The Bedrock Boys have been in with UBC, Regina, and Lethbridge. The Bisons were in with Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Mount Royal.

Calgary is of to a so-so start. They went 3-3 in pre-season, with all games against CW opponents. They swept Lethbridge (once in OT) then split with both UBC and Regina. Their lack of home webcasts makes it hard to tell just what they have to offer.

On the Bison side, this is their second trip in a row to Bedrock, after having played Mount Royal last weekend. I will be looking to see which scratches from last weekend might return to the line-up, and whether Jesse Deckert will again start both games in goal.

ELSEWHERE:


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (3-3-0, 11-3-0, OHT35 #5)
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (0-5-1, 2-10-1, OHT35 #33)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Video – Both Nights – CanadaWest.tv]
|> [U of L Preview] : [Lethbridge Twitter]
|> [Alberta Site] : [Alberta Twitter]

The Evil Monkeys absolutely have to break their 3 game losing streak against the H0rny Ones. In all three losses they have outshot their opponents by a wide margin. Well, Lethbridge is used to being severely outshot themselves. The conference contenders will do cartwheels if the Monkeys exit the weekend with less than 4 points.


MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (1-5-0, 2-7-1, OHT35 #23)
REGINA COUGARS (4-2-0, 5-8-0, OHT35 #27)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [no on-line audio or video]
|> [U of R Site] : [Regina Twitter]
|> [Mount Royal Site] : [Mount Royal Twitter]

Regina sports fans will look at this Cougars v Cougars match-up with all the fond remembrances of the Roughriders v Rough Riders games back in the day.

MRU has had a tough schedule so far, so I would not be concerned about their 1-5 start. The fact is they have put up a much better fight against good teams than Regina or Lethbridge did in the pre-season games.

But what about Regina? They looked absolutely dreadful in pre-season against the Bisons, and were also very badly outplayed against all other good teams. But they have split their games against UBC and Calgary. Have Regina improved? Did they get lucky? Or are Calgary and UBC not as close to Alberta, Sask., and Manitoba as we thought? This series will set the stage in the race for 6th place.


SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (5-1-0, 7-2-1, OHT35 #1)
UBC THUNDERBIRDS (4-1-1, 7-2-1-1, OHT35 #11)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [no on-line audio or video]
|> [UBC Preview Story] : [UBC Twitter]
|> [Sask. Site] : [Sask. Twitter]

IMO the Banjo-Mutts have had horseshoes up every orifice so far. They needed a last-second goal to beat MRU to start and later racked up 3 wins against Manitoba and Alberta when they were outshot and fairly well dominated. But any way you slice it, this is a first place showdown. So long as neither games goes into overtime, everybody will be happy.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:

Wednesday, October 24 [CIS Wednesday Round-Up]
Queen’s 0 McGill 3
UQTR 0 Carleton 2

Thursday, October 25 [CIS Thursday Round-Up]
Ryerson 2 Toronto 3
UOIT 4 York 1
Waterloo 6 Guelph 3

OUT EAST:

Friday, October 26
Saint Mary’s at Moncton
New Brunswick at Acadia
St. Francis Xavier at St. Thomas
UPEI at Dalhousie
Ottawa at Carleton
Toronto at Nipissing
York at Brock
McGill at Queen’s
Western Ontario at Lakehead
Laurier at Windsor
RMC at Concordia
UQTR at Norwich [non-conference]

Saturday, October 27
Saint Mary’s at St. Thomas
New Brunswick at Dalhousie
St. Francis Xavier at Moncton
UPEI at Acadia
Nipissing at Ryerson
Concordia at RMC
Brock at UOIT
Western Ontario at Lakehead
Windsor at Waterloo
Guelph at Laurier

Sunday, October 28
UQTR at Ottawa

NEWS:

This was a slow news week around the CIS. Nobody was fired or suspended. The only announcement was another top 10, which is of course not as good as the OHT35. The CIS Blog does have an AUS weekly round-up and a weekend preview, linked below.
Links: [CIS] : [reposted at CW] : [OHT35]
CIS Blog: [AUS Weekly Update] : [Weekend Games to Watch]

[Hollywood2]

October 26, 2012

YABBA DABBA DOO! BISONS BEAT BEDROCK BOYS


MANITOBA BISONS 4
CALGARY DINOS 1

Links:
|> [CIS Friday Round-Up] : [CW Friday Stories]
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [Check for story at U of C Site : [and at U of M Site]

The Bisons racked up their third straight victory in the Town of Bedrock on Friday night. I would like to have a bit more information, and a complete set of links, but the home sides are slow in uploading game stories tonight. Those might be up as you read, so check the team sites.

The Herd led throughout the evening, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Jeremy Schappert (his 2nd) within 4 minutes of Oh Canada. Second period goals by James Henry and Brendan Rowinski gave the Bisons a 3-0 heading into the 3rd period. The Dinosaurs made Jesse Deckert's shutout go extinct mid-way through the 3rd period on a two-man advantage. Tyler Feakes got 2 minutes for roughing, which was coupled with a bench minor, so I gather there was controversy about the call. In any event, that was the only goal for the Dinos. Lee Christensen scored a couple minutes later to conclude the scoring.

The goals by Henry, Rowinski, and Christensen were their 1st of the season. Schappert, Blair Macaulay, and Ian Duval each had two assists.

Scratches for the Bisons were Brock Sutherland, Brett Chartier, Nathan Green, Craig Scott, Darren Bestland, Tyler Dittmer, and Deven Dubyk.

It would appear that Rowinski took Dittmer's place on the top line with Duval and Macaulay.

The rematch goes Saturday at 6:00 MDT, 7:00 CDT.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 7
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 1

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [Check for story at U of L Site] : [U of A Linescore]

This was the only game of the night available on CanadaWest.tv, and it wasn't much to watch. The Evil Monkeys opened the scoring on a goal by goaltender Kurtis Mucha. There was a delayed penalty and the H0rny Ones shot it into their own net. After that they went limp. They look awfully discouraged. Can they rally on home ice in the Saturday rematch? That is questionable.


MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 1
REGINA COUGARS 2

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [Check for story at U of R Site] : [and at MRU Site]

The Banjo-Cats won the first ever Cat Fight. This was a tight game and a key win for the Hillbillies. They are now 3-0 against the teams with whom they expected to compete for the 6th and final playoff berth. Regina scored once in the 1st and 2nd periods before MRU made it close in the 3rd. If Regina can take the sweep on Saturday it would be getting difficult to see them being caught by MRU or Lethbridge. And, no, I don't see Regina challenging for 1st place.


SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5
UBC THUNDERBIRDS 4

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [Check for story at UBC Site] : [and at U of S Site]

This was an odd game. UBC scored twice to lead 2-0, then trailed 3-2. They rallied to take a 4-3 lead, only to lose 5-4. It is hard to glean to much from the stats. But the numbers would suggest this was a game of tremendous ebb and flow. UBC turned things around in the 2nd period when the outshot Sask 18-3 to stake themselves to a 4-3 lead heading into the 3rd period. But then the Banjo-Mutts dominated the 3rd period, with a 12-5 edge in shots. Oddly, the GWG was scored by Brennan Bosch shorthanded. One has to give UBC some chance in Saturday's rematch. They will have to win such games if they are to be seen as something better than a mid-pack team.

OUT EAST:

Friday, October 26
Saint Mary’s 2 Moncton 7 : [CIS boxscore]
New Brunswick 2 Acadia 4 : [CIS boxscore]
St. Francis Xavier 3 St. Thomas 2 : [CIS boxscore]
UPEI 0 Dalhousie 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Ottawa 5 Carleton 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Toronto 3 Nipissing 2 : [CIS boxscore]
York 5 Brock 4 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
McGill 3 Queen’s 2 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Western Ontario 2 Lakehead 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Laurier 4 Windsor 3 : [CIS boxscore]
RMC 3 Concordia 2 : [CIS boxscore]
UQTR 4 Norwich 5 [non-conference] : [NU Story & Summary]

UP NEXT:

Saturday, October 27
Manitoba at Calgary
Mount Royal at Regina
Saskatchewan at UBC
Alberta at Lethbridge : canadawest.tv
Saint Mary’s at St. Thomas
New Brunswick at Dalhousie
St. Francis Xavier at Moncton
UPEI at Acadia
Nipissing at Ryerson
Concordia at RMC
Brock at UOIT
Western Ontario at Lakehead
Windsor at Waterloo
Guelph at Laurier

Sunday, October 28
UQTR at Ottawa

[Hollywood2]

Friday night's links are now up:

4 1
Links:
|> [U of C Story] : [reposted with stats at U of M Site]

7 1
Links:
|> [U of L Story] : [U of A Linescore]

1 2
Links:
|> [U of R Story]

5 4
Links:
|> [UBC Story : [reposted at U of S Site]

[Hollywood2]

October 27, 2012

BISONS DOWNED IN FIRST SHOOT-OUT OF THE SEASON


MANITOBA BISONS 2
CALGARY DINOS 3
(in shoot-out)

Links:
|> [CIS Saturday Round-Up (to be posted)] : [CW Saturday Stories]
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of C Story] : [reposted at U of M Story]

The Bisons built up a 2-0 3rd period lead on goals by Matthew Lowry (2nd) and Tyler Feakes (1st) but then surrendered the lead en route to a shoot-out loss. The result still gives the Bisons the series by a 3-2 margin in points, which is a respectable for a road trip to the Town of Bedrock. But when you are that close to a sweep ....

The Bisons also played short one man. Jesse Paradis played Friday but was scratched and not replaced for Saturday's game. This is a great example as to why the AUS is out to lunch with their roster limit of 21 skaters per season starting next year. Jesse Deckert once again started in the Bison goal while the Dinos replace Dustin Butler with Jacob DeSerres.

Both sides get next weekend off. Don't ask. For some reason the whole CW had an off-weekend (but for MRU and Alberta who moved their series from January 4-5), and that comes after they jump-started the league with a full slate of games September 27-29. Manitoba will the host Lethbridge and Calgary will play home-and-home with Alberta November 9-10.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 10
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 3

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of L Story] : [U of A Linescore]

This was once again the only contest available on CanadaWest.tv. Good lord, the H0rny Ones need help. Maybe time to try Cialis. Dylan Tait git the start in goal but gave up 5 goals on 20 shots before being pulled after 16 minutes. Damien Ketlo then surrendered 5 goals on 34 more shots. They look disheartened. They are also the Bisons' next opponent in two weeks' time. I am sure the Bisons would rather face them tomorrow, before they have time to regroup.


MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 6
REGINA COUGARS 3

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of R Story] : [Friday story reposted at MRU Story]

In Cat Fight II the Blue Kitties gained revenge over the Green Kitties. MRU notched 4 goals on 6 shots in the 1st period to chase Andrew Hayes from the Hillbilly net. This happened with MRU playing two men short as well. The way Lethbridge looks, it could be that the Kitties will be fighting for 6th place at the end of the year. Alberta will play home-and-home with MRU and Calgary over thext two weekends.


SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5
UBC THUNDERBIRDS 1

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [UBC Story (with video)] : [check for U of S Story]

So, it looks like UBC is as they normally are. A sweep of Lethbridge, splits with Regina and Calgary, and a sweep at the hands of Sask. That list of results could have been from any one of the last 15 years. These teams also get a week off, after which UBC will face MRU and Sask will play Regina as aforesaid.

STANDINGS:

```````````` GP`` PTS
Saskatchewan``8`` 14
Alberta`````` 8`` 10
Calgary`````` 8`` 10
Regina````````8`` 10
Manitoba``````8````9
UBC`````````` 8````9
Mount Royal`` 8````4
Lethbridge````8````1

OUT EAST:

Saturday, October 27
Saint Mary’s 5 St. Thomas 0 : [CIS boxscore]
New Brunswick 4 Dalhousie 2 : [CIS boxscore]
St. Francis Xavier 2 Moncton 4 : [CIS boxscore]
UPEI 4 Acadia 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Nipissing 6 Ryerson 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Concordia 1 RMC 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Brock 2 UOIT 1 (so) : [CIS boxscore]
Western Ontario 3 Lakehead 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Windsor 7 Waterloo 5 : [CIS boxscore]
Guelph 6 Laurier 2 : [CIS boxscore]

UP NEXT:

Sunday, October 28
UQTR at Ottawa

Thursday, November 1
Laurier at Ryerson

Friday, November 2
St. Thomas at Acadia
Moncton at Dalhousie
St. Francis Xavier at New Brunswick
Saint Mary’s at UPEI
York at McGill
Western Ontario at Nipissing
Lakehead at Carleton
Waterloo at UQTR
Laurier at RMC
Brock at Queen’s
UOIT at Concordia
Windsor at Toronto
Alberta at Mount Royal

[Hollywood2]

November 2, 2012

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 6
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 2

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [MRU Story] : [reposted at CW Site]
|> [U of A Linescore] : [U of A Preview]

The Evil Monkeys scored twice per period en route to a handy win over the Royal Kittens. This is the only series in the CW for some reason. These teams evidently switched their series to this weekend from the beginning of January when the remainder of the teams will play their corresponding series. Since this series is being played out of synch with the rest of the schedule, this is the last series between these teams. Whilst MRU falls to 2-7, after this weekend they have only four games left against the top three teams (two against Sask and two against Manitoba).

OUT EAST:

Thursday, November 1
Laurier 2 Ryerson 5 : [CIS boxscore]

Friday, November 2
St. Thomas 2 Acadia 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Moncton 4 Dalhousie 2 : [CIS boxscore]
St. Francis Xavier 3 New Brunswick 5 : [CIS boxscore]
Saint Mary’s 7 UPEI 5 : [CIS boxscore]
York 0 McGill 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Western Ontario 5 Nipissing 1 : [CIS boxscore]
Lakehead 2 Carleton 6 : [CIS boxscore]
Waterloo 2 UQTR 1 (so) : [CIS boxscore]
Laurier 4 RMC 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Brock 4 Queen’s 6 : [CIS boxscore]
UOIT 4 Concordia 3 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Windsor 5 Toronto 3 : [CIS boxscore]

UP NEXT:

Saturday, November 3
Mount Royal at Alberta : canadawest.tv
Moncton at Acadia
St. Thomas at Dalhousie
Saint Mary’s at New Brunswick
St. Francis Xavier at UPEI
Guelph at Concordia
Brock at UQTR
Lakehead at Carleton
York at Ottawa
Waterloo at McGill
Western Ontario at Ryerson
UOIT at RMC
Nipissing at Queen’s
Windsor at Toronto

Sunday, November 4
Guelph at Ottawa

NEWS:


The only news coming from the CIS was the Top Ten. It is strange. Sask is #1 and Alberta is #2. Oddly, Toronto is #9, I recommend the OHT35 for better rankings.
Links: [CIS] : [reposted at CW] : [OHT35]


The Vancouver Sun has an article touting UBC (amongst others) as a hockey alternative during the lockout.

On the UBC campus, T-Bird coach Milan Dragicevic has noticed a definite lockout boost, much of it due to the exposure the ‘Birds received from the Bieksa Buddies charity game Oct. 17. They played before a full house of 5,000 that night and, two days later, about 1,000 came back to see UBC’s home opener against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

“Last year, we averaged close to 500 fans a game and this year we’re averaging close to 900 so it’s a pretty big increase and that’s very positive,” Dragicevic noted. “The Bieksa game helped a lot. It opened up people’s eyes to how good CIS hockey is and how good UBC hockey really is. All our guys were stars at the junior level, whether it was in the WHL, BCHL, or AJHL.

“So many people who come watch a game always say they want to come back,” added the UBC coach. “It’s just a matter of getting them to make that initial visit. We’ve definitely noticed we’re getting more exposure because of the Bieska Buddies game and the fact the Canucks are skating with us.”

Links: [Vancouver Sun Story]


The Globe and Mail (Toronto's national newspaper!) has a rather rosy story on the Blahs entitled "Glory days here again for UofT Varsity Blues?" Now, it is nice that they have some wins. But here's their record, which I say is so-so, and not even top 20:
Sept 28 UOIT 0 Toronto 7 ex
Sept 29 Toronto 4 York 6 ex
Oct 2 Toronto 1 York 7 ex
Oct 6 Toronto 2 Mass-Lowell 5 ex
Oct 7 Toronto 0 Boston U. 5 ex
Oct 12 Toronto 4 RMC 1 C
Oct 14 Nipissing 2 Toronto 5 C
Oct 18 Carleton 2 Toronto 1 (so) B
Oct 20 Queen’s 1 Toronto 8 C
Oct 25 Ryerson 2 Toronto 3 C
Oct 26 Toronto 3 Nipissing 2 C
Nov 2 Windsor 5 Toronto 3
Exhibition v OUA 1-2-0
Exhibition v NCAA 0-2-0
Exhibition record 1-4-0
v A teams 0-0-0
v B teams 0-1-1
v C teams 5-0-0
Conference 5-1-1
Total 6-5-1
Links: [Globe and Mail Story]

[Hollywood2]

November 3, 2012

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 0
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 7

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of A Linescore and Story] : [CW Site]
|> [U of A Friday Story]

You know you were out of it when ... Even if you scored on every shot you took in the 3rd period you still would have lost.

That's what happened to the Her Majesty's Kittens Saturday in Edmontown. The Evil Monkeys scored 5 goals in the first period, and only one more per period thereafter. MRU surrendered meekly, with only 4 shots in the 3nd period and 3 more in the 3rd.

Were MRU that bad, or the Monkeys that good? Well, next week the Monkeys play home-and-home with Calgary whilst MRU hosts UBC.

OUT EAST:

Moncton 0 Acadia 4 : [CIS boxscore]
St. Thomas 0 Dalhousie 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Saint Mary’s 4 New Brunswick 3 : [CIS boxscore]
St. Francis Xavier 2 UPEI 3 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Guelph 3 Concordia 0 : [CIS boxscore]
Brock 4 UQTR 6 : [CIS boxscore]
Lakehead 5 Carleton 4 : [CIS boxscore]
York 4 Ottawa 3 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Waterloo 2 McGill 5 : [CIS boxscore]
Western Ontario 5 Ryerson 3 : [CIS boxscore]
UOIT 4 RMC 3 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Nipissing 3 Queen’s 2 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Windsor 3 Toronto 1 : [CIS boxscore]

UP NEXT:

Sunday, November 4
Guelph at Ottawa

Wednesday, November 7
Saint Mary’s at Dalhousie
Ryerson at Brock

Thursday, November 8
Toronto at Guelph

Friday, November 9
Lethbridge at Manitoba
Regina at Saskatchewan
Calgary at Alberta
UBC at Mount Royal
Acadia at Saint Mary’s
New Brunswick at St. Thomas
Dalhousie at St. Francis Xavier
UPEI at Moncton
McGill at Western Ontario
Concordia at York
Ryerson at Nipissing
Toronto at Brock
Queen’s at UOIT
Ottawa at Waterloo
UQTR at Lakehead
Carleton at Laurier
RMC at Windsor

[Hollywood2]

WEEKEND PREVIEW


LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (0-7-1, 2-12-1, OHT35 #35)
MANITOBA BISONS (4-3-1, 7-5-1-1, OHT35 #7)

Friday, November 9th, 7:00 p.m. CST @ Max Bell Arena - U of M
Saturday, November 10th, 7:00 p.m. CST @ Max Bell Arena - U of M

Live Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [no on-line audio or video, but check back at CanadaWest.tv just in case]

Manitoba Links:
|> [U of M Preview Story] : [Roster] : [Schedule/Results]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Lethbridge Links:
|> [U of L Preview Story]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Other Links:
|> [CIS Site] : [CIS Schedule/Results/Links]
|> [CW Site] : [CW Schedule/Results/Links]
|> [LeagueStat Daily] : [CW Weekly Media Notes #6]
|> [Every Link Re: CIS Hockey]

Finally, the Bisons have come back to the Max Bell. After back-to-back weekends in Calgary, they had a bye week. That's 3 weekends in a row without a home game. But this weekend marks the beginning of 3 home weekends out of 4 to wrap up the first semester.

If anything can temper my enthusiasm for these games, it is the fact that the H0rny Ones have been dreadful so far this year. And they seem to be getting worse. They started out being outplayed by Calgary, but forced overtime to escape with a point. That result has been followed by 7 consecutive losses in conference play, and 3 more non-conference losses on a horrid trip through the NCAA. Their leading scorer, Chase Schaber, has 3 goals and 6 assists in 8 games. Nobody else has more than 4 points.

What positives are there for the H0rny Ones? Well, if Viagra isn't working then maybe Cialis or Levitra could work. Or maybe all they needed was an extra week's rest.

The Bisons really need a four point weekend. They are one of 5 teams with 3 losses so far. Before the week off they seemed to be down in numbers, so I'll be interested to see just who dresses for the series.

ELSEWHERE:


CALGARY DINOS (5-3-0, 8-6-0, OHT35 #12)
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (7-3-0, 15-3-0, OHT35 #3)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Video – Friday – CanadaWest.tv]
|> [U of C Preview : [reposted at CW]
|> [U of A Preview]

This home-and-home series could tell us a lot about the Evil Monkeys. They started hot but then fell upon a 3 game losing streak. Then in the last two weekends they steamrolled Lethbridge and Mount Royal. The Dinos seem to be on their way to a traditional solid 4th place finish and will serve as an excellent measuring stick. The Primates have severely outshot their opponents even in their losses, which gives the impression that Calgary may have to "steal" whatever points they might be able to muster.


UBC THUNDERBIRDS (4-3-1, 7-4-1-1, OHT35 #15)
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (2-8-0, 3-10-1, OHT35 #27)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Video – both nights – CanadaWest.tv]
|> [UBC Preview Story] : [Mount Royal Site]

MRU's weak record is somewhat attributable to a tough schedule. They are 1-7 against the Big Three (1-3 v Alberta and 0-2 against each of Sask and Manitoba). Against those teams, UBC have thus far played only Sask and went 0-2. Their only other common opponent is Regina, and they both split. The question is whether MRU are feeling shell-shocked in their first season of CIS hockey.


REGINA COUGARS (5-3-0, 6-9-0, OHT35 #25)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (7-1-0, 9-2-1, OHT35 #1)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Video – Friday Only – CanadaWest.tv]
|> [U of S Preview Story] : [U of R Site]

The Battle of Banjoland will be a home-and-home series and features two possibly over-achieving teams. Sask is off to a good start and rank 1st in both the OHT35 rankings and the CIS official top ten. Good fortune smiled upon them when they wrangled a split against Manitoba, and even moreso when they swept the Monkeys. Is more good fortune coming their way?

But what about Regina? They were hopelessly outclassed in pre-season games against Manitoba and Sask. They have yet to face either of those teams, or Alberta. So their schedule has not been a tough one. However, they have split their series with UBC, Calgary. and MRU. And they swept Lethbridge.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:

Wednesday, November 7 [CIS Wednesday Round-Up]
Saint Mary’s 7 Dalhousie 4
Ryerson 4 Brock 6

Thursday, October 25 [CIS Thursday Round-Up]
Toronto 4 Guelph 7

OUT EAST:

Friday, November 9
Acadia at Saint Mary’s
New Brunswick at St. Thomas
Dalhousie at St. Francis Xavier
UPEI at Moncton
McGill at Western Ontario
Concordia at York
Ryerson at Nipissing
Toronto at Brock
Queen’s at UOIT
Ottawa at Waterloo
UQTR at Lakehead
Carleton at Laurier
RMC at Windsor

Saturday, November 10
Moncton at St. Thomas
Acadia at St. Francis Xavier
New Brunswick at UPEI
Nipissing at York
Ottawa at Western Ontario
McGill at UOIT
Queen’s at Guelph
Carleton at Waterloo
UQTR at Lakehead
Concordia at Laurier
RMC at Windsor

NEWS:

Other than the usual Top Ten release, the only other news story making the rounds was a kerfuffle over officiating in the AUS.
Links: [CIS] : [reposted at CW] : [reposted at Boxscore News] : [OHT35]
CIS Blog: [AUS Players and Fans Deserve Better]

[Hollywood2]

November 9, 2012

BISONS OPEN WITH WIN


LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 1
MANITOBA BISONS 4

Links:
|> [CIS Friday Round-Up] : [CW Friday Stories]
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of M Story] : [reposted at U of L Site]

The Bisons achieved a tidy victory on Friday night. The `Horns clearly utilized their bye week to regroup and recharge. In general they left the impression that they played as well as they could. Problem is, they were still outshot 39-22 and, but for a period of 3-4 minutes in the 2nd period, were dominated.

The Dittmer-Duval-Macaulay line scored three goals to pace the Bison attack. The line notched the only goal in the first period when Ian Duval scored after a period of sustained pressure and a pass from Tyler Dittmer.

Despite being outplayed, the H0rny Ones seemed to get a dose of momentum in the 2nd period when Hayden Rintoul scored a softy. Jesse Deckert seemed to take his eye off a bouncer, and suddenly it was 1-1. However, on a PP Bison captain Dane Crowley took a shot from the point which picked off the water bottle to put the Bisons in front to stay.

After Lethbridge had their moments the Bisons once again took control. Dittmer set up Blair Macaulay with a perfect pass and all Macaulay had to do was dump it into a wide-open net. That goal gave the Bisons a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd period.

There was not much activity in the 3rd period. Whistles were few and far between and the Bisons appeared to like it that way. There was no scoring until there were less than 4 minutes to go.

The rematch goes Saturday night at 7:00 pm at the Max Bell Arena.

Here's how they lined up:

Manitoba

Goal:
35 Deckert (1 Caligiuri)

Defence:
4 Schappert - 20 Lockerby
5 Christensen - 2 Crowley
3 Mestery - 24 Bobbee

Forwards:
23 Dittmer - 19 Duval - 26 Macaulay
10 Rowinski - 21 Cowan - 9 Lowry
29 Cain - 11 Henry - 27 Feakes
18 Kelly - 25 Ciarelli - 17 Lauder

Scratches:
G: 34 Dubyk
D: 12 Sutherland - 22 Bestland
F: 14 Green - 15 Scott - 16 Paradis - 28 Chartier

Lethbridge

Goal:
29 Ketlo (35 Tait)

Defence:
24 Machacek - 15 Campbell
55 McDougall - 7 McMullen
10 Hlookoff - 4 Lund

Forwards:
14 Chikie - 19 Schaber - 9 Hutt
26 Conway - 17 Fraser - 44 Hall
27 Henke - 12 Iwanski - 18 Letts
21 Mappin - 22 Rintoul - 11 Kalinski

Scratches:
G: 1 Wenham
F: 16 Skauge - 25 McLachlan - 77 Cumiskey

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


REGINA COUGARS 1
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 2
(in overtime)

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of S Story]

The Battle of Banjoland went to the Mutts over the Kittens, but not before it went into overtime. The Mutts enjoyed a generous lead on the shot clock. But there was no scoring until the 3rd period. The nightcap of the series shifts south to Regina on Saturday.


CALGARY DINOS 2
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 5

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of A Linescore - Story to come] : [reposted at U of C Site]

I caught the ending of this game on CanadaWest.tv. This was odd: There were only 5 minor penalties in the game but those produced 3 power play goals. The Dinos went 2-for-2 with the man advantage. It would appear that the Evil Monkeys held the edge throughout. The series shifts to Calgary for game 2 on Saturday.


UBC THUNDERBIRDS 7
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 2

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [MRU Story] : [reposted at UBC Site]

This decisive win for UBC has to raise a few eyebrows. MRU really needs a win in Saturday's rematch if they want to stay at least close to a playoff spot. UBC started fast, outshooting MRU 10-4 whilst building a 2-0 lead after the 1st period. The 2nd period must have been wild, with UBC outscoring MRU 3-2 and outshooting them 16-15. Cole Wilson fired a hat-trick for the Tweety-Birds. Saturday night's rematch is the only game on CanadaWest.tv, but without play-by-play.

OUT EAST:

Friday, November 9
Acadia 3 Saint Mary’s 2 : [CIS boxscore]
New Brunswick 6 St. Thomas 1 : [CIS boxscore]
Dalhousie 4 St. Francis Xavier 5 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
UPEI 6 Moncton 3 : [CIS boxscore]
McGill 4 Western Ontario 8 : [CIS boxscore]
Concordia 0 York 5 : [CIS boxscore]
Ryerson 3 Nipissing 4 : [CIS boxscore]
Toronto 5 Brock 2 : [Live Stats]
Queen’s 5 UOIT 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Ottawa 2 Waterloo 3 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
UQTR 3 Lakehead 2 (ot) : [CIS boxscore]
Carleton 1 Laurier 4 : [CIS boxscore]
RMC 0 Windsor 5 : [CIS boxscore]

UP NEXT:

Saturday, November 10
Alberta at Calgary
Lethbridge at Manitoba
Saskatchewan at Regina
UBC at Mount Royal : canadawest.tv
Moncton at St. Thomas
Acadia at St. Francis Xavier
New Brunswick at UPEI
Nipissing at York
Ottawa at Western Ontario
McGill at UOIT
Queen’s at Guelph
Carleton at Waterloo
UQTR at Lakehead
Concordia at Laurier
RMC at Windsor

[Hollywood2]

November 10, 2012

BISONS SWEEP A CHIPPY ENCOUNTER


LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 2
MANITOBA BISONS 4

Links:
|> [CIS Saturday Round-Up (yet to be posted)] : [CW Saturday Stories]
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of M Story] : [reposted at U of L Site]

Saturday's game was very similar to Friday's. The Bisons dominated play (shots were 40-18) and could have really run up the score had they capitalized on their abundant chances. At no point in time did Lethbridge ever give the impression that they would even come close to winning the hockey game.

It is true that the H0rny Ones gave it all they had. They just lack talent to mount a threat. They played it quite chippy and by the last half of the game there were scrums after every whistle. After a bye week they were no doubt prepared for this series. As the season marches on I can easily see them being stomped.

Both sides switched goaltenders, the Bisons replaced Eric Mestery with Brock Sutherland, the `Horns juggled their 3rd and 4th lines, and otherwise the lineups were identical to Friday night.

The Bisons took a 2-0 lead 13 minutes into the 1st period. Jeremy Schappert scored (his 3rd) unassisted from along the boards immediately after a sustained scramble in fron of the Lethbridge net. A few minutes later Luke Cain cashed in (also his 3rd) on a wide-open net.

Tyler Dittmer scored (his 4th) only 9 seconds into the 2nd period, following which the game deteriorated with the pushing, shoving, and cheap shots coming in droves. And the puck seldom leaving the Lethbridge end of the rink.

A mini-comeback was launched 44 seconds into the 3rd period when Hayden Rintoul scored (his 3rd) on a crazy rebound off the glass behind the Bison goal. Thereafter, however, the 'Horns only had 3 more shots on goal. Each team had one more score. Ian Duval cashed in (his 3rd) on the best passing play of the night. Killian Hutt notched his 2nd of the season on a PP for Lethbridge's only orthodox goal of the weekend. Bison Matthew Lowry was snakebit, and even hit the post on an empty-net chance.

The Bisons are off to British California next weekend before coming home for their final two series of the semester, against Regina and Saudi Alberta. Lethbridge plays home-and-away with Mount Royal.

Here's how they lined up:

Manitoba

Goal:
1 Caligiuri (35 Deckert)

Defence:
4 Schappert - 20 Lockerby
5 Christensen - 2 Crowley
12 Sutherland - 24 Bobbee

Forwards:
23 Dittmer - 19 Duval - 26 Macaulay
10 Rowinski - 21 Cowan - 9 Lowry
29 Cain - 11 Henry - 27 Feakes
18 Kelly - 25 Ciarelli - 17 Lauder

Scratches:
G: 34 Dubyk
D: 3 Mestery - 22 Bestland
F: 14 Green - 15 Scott - 16 Paradis - 28 Chartier

Lethbridge

Goal:
35 Tait (29 Ketlo)

Defence:
24 Machacek - 15 Campbell
55 McDougall - 7 McMullen
10 Hlookoff - 4 Lund

Forwards:
14/8 Chikie - 19 Schaber - 9 Hutt
26 Conway - 17 Fraser - 44 Hall
22 Rintoul - 12 Iwanski - 27 Henke
21 Mappin - 11 Kalinski - 18 Letts

Scratches:
G: 1 Wenham
F: 16 Skauge - 25 McLachlan - 77 Cumiskey

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:


SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 1
REGINA COUGARS 2

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of R Story] : [reposted at U of S Site] : [U of R Friday Story]

Normally when a contender loses to Regina they outshoot them by a wide margin but Regina's goaltender steals the show. However, the Banjo-Mutts had only 20 shots on the Banjo-Cats as the Felines clamped down on the Canines Saturday in Regina.

This win, IMO, makes it official that Regina is a mid-pack team in the CW. They looked gawd-awful in the pre-season, soundly beaten by Manitoba, Sask, and Alaska.

Lucas Gore was in goal for Regina, after Andrew Hayes played Friday. Ryan Holfield started again for Sask, as he has for every game this season. Last year he split games with David Reekie every weekend. Reekie is injured now.

Matt Strueby scored his 5thand Ryan Deck his 1st for the Cougars. Strueby, Tyler Henry, and Troy Hunter account for the vast majority of Regina's goals. D-man Zach Stebner had the Huskies' goal.

IMO, Sask's record is deceptive. They were badly outshot and outplayed in their split with Manitoba and sweep of Alberta. Had they lost those games they would be 5-5 and tied with Calgary for #5. But, wins are wins and so they (justifiably) entered the weekend ranked #1 in both the national CIS Official Top Ten and the OHT35.


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 4
CALGARY DINOS 1

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [U of C Story] : [reposted with linescore at U of A Site]

The Evil Monkeys shut down the Dinos in the Town of Bedrock to sweep the home-and-home. But for a 3-game losing skid, the Monkeys have run the table thus far. It seems that the teams replayed Friday's game. Both sides shifted goaltenders, the Dinos using Dustin Butler Friday and Jacob DeSerres Saturday, and Alberta using Kurtis Mucha Friday and Real Cyr Saturday.

Next weekend Alberta is off to Regina and Calgary hosts Sask. IMO these games will help us gauge all four of those teams a little better.


UBC THUNDERBIRDS 3
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 2

Links:
|> [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]
|> [MRU Story (both games)] : [reposted at UBC Site]

This was a series Her Majesty's Royal Kittens could not afford to lose, but the did. They did outshoot UBC but that is small consolation. This puts MRU a distant 7th in league standings. They need something dramatic, like a sweep of Lethbridge next weekend, if they want back into the race.

UBC will host the Bisons next weekend. This is traditionally a tough road-trip for the Bisons.

OUT EAST:

Saturday, November 10
Moncton 3 St. Thomas 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Acadia 2 St. Francis Xavier 1 : [CIS boxscore]
New Brunswick 3 UPEI 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Nipissing 1 York 2 : [CIS boxscore]
Ottawa 0 Western Ontario 4 : [CIS boxscore]
McGill 3 UOIT 1 : [CIS boxscore]
Queen’s 0 Guelph 4 : [CIS boxscore]
Carleton 3 Waterloo 1 : [CIS boxscore]
UQTR 2 Lakehead 3 : [CIS boxscore]
Concordia 4 Laurier 7 : [CIS boxscore]
RMC 0 Windsor 3 : [CIS boxscore]

UP NEXT:

Thursday, November 15
Waterloo at UOIT
Queen’s at Ryerson
Western Ontario at Laurier

Friday, November 16
Alberta at Regina
Saskatchewan at Calgary
Mount Royal at Lethbridge : canadawest.tv
Manitoba at UBC : on-line audio
Moncton at Saint Mary’s
Dalhousie at New Brunswick
St. Thomas at St. Francis Xavier
Acadia at UPEI
Ottawa at Carleton
Toronto at Nipissing
Ryerson at RMC
Lakehead at Brock
York at Windsor
Guelph at Waterloo
McGill at UQTR