[Hollywood2]

NEWS AND NOTES FROM AROUND THE CIS


You might recall that the Dal-Hosers had to can Pete Beliveau for undisclosed reasons. All we know is that CIS was launching an investigation. Well, it looks like we will be waiting until January to find out just what the heck this is all about. Here's all we know by way of updates:

A decision by Canadian Interuniversity Sport following its investigation of the Dalhousie Tigers men’s hockey team will likely come in the new year.

Tom Huisman, the CIS director of operations and development, said via email that “in all likelihood, we are looking at post-Christmas in January.”

Dalhousie spokesman Charles Crosby confirmed in October that the school was preparing a written disclosure for the CIS. That came on the heels of the university dismissing former men’s hockey coach Pete Belliveau.

Belliveau was serving as team manager at the time of his dismissal.

Crosby said in an interview last month that the university is “looking forward to hearing back from (the CIS)” but wasn’t given any timeline.

“We’re anxious to hear their thoughts,” Crosby said. “When we do, we’ll be proactive and we’ll certainly be sharing that information.”

Links:
|> [Halifax Chronicle Herald]


The official top ten was released. It comes close to the OHT35. Here's the comparison:

CIS Official Poll:
1. Alberta
2. Acadia
3. Saskatchewan
4. UNB
5. Western Ontario
6. UQTR
7. Saint Mary’s
8. Windsor
9. Manitoba
10. Carleton

Official Hollywood Top 35:
A
1 ALBERTA
2 ACADIA
3 SASK.
4 UNB
5 W.ONTARIO
6 WINDSOR
7 UQTR
8 ST. MARY'S
9 MANITOBA
10 LAKEHEAD
11 ST. F-X
12 CARLETON
B+
13 UBC
14 GUELPH
15 MONCTON
16 MCGILL
B
17 CALGARY
18 OTTAWA
19 WATERLOO
20 REGINA
B-
21 UPEI
22 YORK
23 TORONTO
C+
24 DALHOUSIE
25 BROCK
26 LAURIER
27 UOIT
C
28 MOUNT ROYAL
29 QUEEN'S
30 NIPISSING
31 CONCORDIA
32 RYERSON
C-
33 ST. THOMAS
34 RMC
35 LETHBRIDGE

Links:
|> [CIS News Release] : [reposted at Canada West, U of S, Hockey Scene & UNB Hockey Fans]


The WHL grad-of-the-month award goes to Banjo-Mutt Kyle Bortis. Bison goaltender Jesse Deckert won the award in October.

Links:
|> [CW News Release] : [reposted at CIS & U of S]


The annual list of WHL scholarships is always interesting. You can check out the full list at the links. I have listed all those who are at CW schools but not playing on the hockey team, along with the total at each university:

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (34)
Max Adolph – Saskatoon, SK – Kelowna
Mitch Berg – Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon
Graham Hildebrand – Saskatoon, SK – Brandon
Andrew Herle – Wilke, SK – Prince Albert
Kyle Jahraus – Saskatoon, SK – Prince George
Curtis Kulchar – Martensville, SK – Saskatoon
Garrett Leedahl – Saskatoon, SK – Spokane
Drew McDermott – Saskatoon, SK – Everett
Ryan McDonald – Prince Albert, SK – Regina
Jadon Potter – Hoey, SK – Victoria
Taylor Procyshen – Emerald Park, SK – Tri-Cities
Colton Stephenson – Saskatoon, SK – Edmonton

University of Manitoba – Winnipeg, MB (28)
Lucas Alexiuk – Winnipeg, MB – Lethbridge
David Conrad – Winnipeg, MB – Spokane
Mark Friesen – Calgary, AB – Victoria
Jason Gardiner – Winnipeg, MB – Tri-Cities
Cody Gross – Winnipeg, MB – Red Deer
Andrew Hewitt – Winnipeg, MB – Swift Current
Kyle Krzyzaniak – Neepawa, MB – Spokane
Brett Martyniuk – Winnipeg, MB – Regina
Neal Prokop – Winnipeg, MB – Moose Jaw
Tyler Schmidt – Winnipeg, MB – Tri-Cities

University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (26)
Karl Benke – Edmonton, AB – Swift Current
Michael MacAngus – Edmonton, AB – Regina
Scott Maetche – Lacombe, AB – Chilliwack
Linden Rowat – Cochrane, AB – Regina
Tanner Sohn – Medicine Hat, AB – Saskatoon

University of Calgary – Calgary, AB (21)
Austin Baecker – Kelowna, B.C. – Seattle
Daniel Medland-Marchen – Kelowna, BC – Prince George
Jesse Pauls – Chilliwack, B.C. – Victoria
Andrew Sullivan – Calgary, AB – Swift Current
Jarrett Toll – Maple Ridge, B.C. – Tri-City

University of Lethbridge – Lethbridge, AB (20)
Shayne Brown – Stony Plain, AB – Medicine Hat
Tyler Kizuik – Indian Head, SK – Prince George
Max Moline – Lethbridge, AB – Tri-Cities
Craig Orfino – Edmonton, AB – Lethbridge

University of British Columbia, - Vancouver, BC (19)
Erik Fleming – Calgary, AB – Seattle
Brandon Regier – Abbotsford, B.C. – Brandon
Nolan Toigo – Delta, BC – Vancouver

Mount Royal University – Calgary, AB (12)
Spencer Asuchak – Kamloops, B.C. – Prince George
Jason MacDonald – Calgary, AB – Kelowna

University of Regina – Regina, SK (11)
Ryan Bender – Regina, SK – Regina
Kurtis Decker – Yorkton, SK – Medicine Hat
Tanner Exner – Regina, SK – Victoria
Drew Hoff – Redvers, SK – Tri-Cities

Links:
|> [CW News Release] : [reposted at CIS]


The Selkirk College Saints have turned things around. The perennial doormats have won all 12 games in the first half of the season to take a commanding lead. They had only 13 wins in the last 5 years (last year's 5 was a previous high). The SFU Clan are the only other side above .500. The Clan are promoting the Great Northwest Classic. I guess it is "classic" if the visiting teams from Oklahoma State and Arizona State were coming here to play football or basketball. But instead they are bringing their ACHA hockey squads in to play SFU and UBC. This is poor competition for UBC, but they will be the only CW team to face an opponent this holiday season.

Links:
|> [Standings] : [Great Northwest Showcase]


The ACAC has really subdivided into a first tier (with NAIT, Augustana, and SAIT), a second tier (with Portage, Keyano, Concordia, and MacEwan), and the Briercrest way behind the rest. The 0-16 Clippers have been outscored 116-21. Portage beat Williston State College (NJCAA) 6-3 and 5-3 over the weekend. Augustana will face both Williston and Rosetown (Senior AAA) on Dec 29-30. NAIT will face the Evil Monkeys on Jan 4-5.

Links:
|> [ACAC Site] : [WSC Tetons]

[Hollywood2]

December 12, 2012 - 2:30 CST - at Calgary
TEAM CANADA U-20
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS

December 13, 2012 - 1:00 CST - at Calgary
TEAM CANADA U-20
SOUTHERN ALBERTA ROYAL DINO-HORNS

Links:
|> [On-line Video - Both Games] : [CW Reposted Preview Stories]
|> [Wednesday Game Summary] : [U of A Preview]
|> [Thursday Game Summary] : [U of C Preview]

The Evil Monkeys will either hop into a bus or swing by vines south to the Town of Bedrock to face the TC Junior Squad. This game was added to the previously announced match-up against the Southern Alberta Trilogy of Universities.

The Canada West roster includes 19 players including 10 Dinos, five Mount Royal Cougars, and two Lethbridge Pronghorns. In addition, longtime pro Mark Bomersback of Rochester, Alta. – who most recently played with Lukko in the top pro league in Finland – along with former Los Angeles Kings draft pick T.J. Fast will join the Canada West squad.

The games are available on-line through Fast Hockey. It is free but one must register. Just check the links for instructions.


The AUS announced that UPEI Panther Mason Wilgosh has been suspended for 12 regular season games for an illegal check to the head of an opponent in a game against Acadia on November 30, 2012. That must have been some play for a suspension of such length.

Links:
|> [AUS Release] : [reposted at CIS Site]

[Hollywood2]

EARLY JUMP PACES MONKEYS TO A WIN


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 4
TEAM CANADA 1

Links:
|> [Hockey Canada Summary and CP Story]
|> [CP Story at TSN] : [TSN: Cuts Story]
|> [Sportsnet Game Story] : [Sportsnet: 5 Players Cut]
|> [Video: CAN 1, UAB 4] : [Video: Canada/U of Alberta Extended Highlights]
|> [Video: Closer to the Team?] : [Video: Reason for Concern?]

The Evil Monkeys got the jump on the Diaper Brigade and then rode a 3-0 lead to a comfy victory. I was able to see most of the 1st period on-line, and then the end of the 3rd period as well. The afternoon games are a pain, but apparently the TC management are trying to acclimatize the team on a gradual basis. By Dec. 26th they have to be ready to play at the equivalent of 3:30 am CST.

There are lots of links up as I post, and there are bound to be more by daybreak. The one painful thing is how the sports media seem unable to describe teams from the CIS. I appreciate that it is hard to name some past combined squads, but this was the U of A. How hard should that be to describe?

Torrie Dyck scored twice for the Primates, with singles coming from Johnny Lazo and Kruise "Pokey" Reddick.

Team Canada will face a Dino-laden melange on Thursday afternoon, also available on-line at Fast Hockey.

Here are the other recent Team Canada v Canada West results:
Dec. 14, 2004 Manitoba Bisons 4, Team Canada 2*
Dec. 15, 2004 Team Canada 6, Manitoba Bisons 3
Dec, 15, 2006 Calgary/Lethbridge 5, Team Canada 4 STORY
Dec. 15, 2009 Sask./Regina 4, Team Canada 2 STORY
Dec. 17, 2011 Team Canada 7, Calgary/Lethbridge 4 STORY

[Hollywood2]

TEAM CANADA RALLIES FOR A SPLIT


UCULMRU 0
TEAM CANADA 2

Links:
|> [Hockey Canada Summary and CP Story] : [Multi-Media Page]
|> [CP Story at TSN] : [TSN: Cuts Story]
|> [Sportsnet Game Story] : [Sportsnet: 8 Players Cut]
|> [Video: CAN 2, UCULMRU 0]
|> [Video: Canada/UCULMRU Extended Highlights]
|> [U of C Game Story] : [Wednesday U of A Game Story]

The name "CIS All-Stars" seems inappropriate for a somewhat rag-tag collection, so I combined U of C, U of L, and MRU, got rid of the "ofs" and there you have it, UCULMRU.

The game was played at the Markin MacPhail Centre in the Town of Bedrock. The facility is part of the Canada Olympic Park and is Olympic-sized. It seems like a great facility but is not home to the Dinos, the New Kittens on the Block, and lacks sufficient seating for the Hitmen.

I never got a chance to watch much of this one. What I did see was fairly uneventful. Team Canada did all their scoring in the 1st period, where they outshot UCULMRU 14-5. There were precious few scoring chances in the last two periods, where the shots were 18-17 for TC.

The UCULMRU line-up appeared to be short-staffed. I counted only 17 skaters from the listing at Fast Hockey. Once the game ended, so too did any links with the team roster.


UCULMRU wore white.


Markin MacPhail Centre

[Hollywood2]

December 28, 2012

The Bisons have no holiday games this year, and in fact UBC are the only team in Canada West to hit the ice. They aren't even having the usual SAIT tournament out in Calgary.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD


MCGILL REDMEN 2
LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 3

Links:
|> [LS Summary]
|> [L.U. Game Story] : [Thunderwolves Release Frazee]

This was a fairly close game throughout. The Thundermutts took 1-0 and 2-1 leads, only to see the McGilligutties tie it up both times.

After McGill's mediocre first half they will want to regroup and make a second half charge. While this sounds like it was a decent match, McGill was still outshot and only could eke out 5 shots in the 3rd period.

Lakehead has to be heartened by their first half. But what turmoil! First, the players mutiny to get their coach fired. And then the team dumps Thomas Frazee after the first half. He came to them last Christmas after having played pro in the ECHL.


ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS 2
UBC THUNDERBIRDS 8

Links:
|> [BCIHL Results - links to summaries] : [UBC Twitter]
|> [UBC Mid-Season Report] : [ASU Site]

I got the score of UBC's Twitter, which had no links to summaries etc. Check the SFU and Event links and summaries and stories may yet be posted for both games.

The Sun Devils are in the ACHA Division 1, where they are the top ranked team in the nation (20-2-0). Before you get too impressed, the ACHA is for non-varsity club teams. Iowa State came to play the Bisons a few years back and they looked completely out-classed. I actually feared for the safety of some of their players.

ASU did split a pair of games against Penn State, a new NCAA team. After this weekend they have 12 straight home games. Their next road games are February 14th to 16th when they travel to North Dakota to face Williston State and Minot State.

I linked to UBC's mid-term report. They say their 1st half pace has them on pace to their best record in 22 years. And they're 4th.


OKLAHOMA SOONERS 0
SIMON FRASER CLAN 4

Links:
|> [BCIHL Results - links to summaries] : [SFU Twitter]
|> [SFU Site] : [Great Northwest Showcase Site] : [OU Site]

When I first heard about this I believe they said it was Oklahoma State coming to this event, but in fact it is Good Ol' JR's favourite team. They are ranked #6 in the ACHA Division 1. They were to have played NCAA Div 1 Rutgers earlier, but Hurricane Sandy scuttled that game. They have two games each against two other Div 1 teams, Alabama-Huntsville and Penn State.

All I have in this is the SFU Twitter score. They also said the shots were 50-39.

UP NEXT:

Non-conference Games:

Saturday, December 29
Toronto at Acadia
Moncton vs UPEI (at Tignish, PEI)
Queen’s vs Carleton (at Kemptville, Ont.)
McGill at Lakehead
UBC vs Oklahoma State (at SFU)
Arizona State at Simon Fraser

Sunday, December 30
Team Russia vs New Brunswick (at Saint John, NB)
Toronto vs Saint Mary’s (at Truro, NS)
Guelph at York
Windsor at Western Ontario

Monday, December 31
Team Russia at New Brunswick

[Hollywood2]

December 29, 2012

The Saturday night exhibition schedule was quite active with inter-conference play. Here's what happened.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD


MCGILL REDMEN 4
LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 5

Links:
|> [LS Summary]
|> [L.U. Game Story]

If you are looking for a sign that this may not be McGill's year, just look at the box score for Saturday night's game in T-Bay. After taking a 4-2 lead in the 3rd period, they surrendered not one but TWO shorthanded goals (the second on a penalty shot!) before giving up a power play goal to lose. Ay carumba.


OKLAHOMA SOONERS 3
UBC THUNDERBIRDS 4
(in overtime)

Links:
|> [BCIHL Results - links to summaries] : [UBC Twitter]
|> [UBC Mid-Season Report] : [OU Site]

All I could find on this was the score from UBC's Twitter and in a margin note on their website. Here's the whole report:

[UBC] beats Oklahoma 4-3 in overtime at the Great Northwest Showcase. UBC outshot the Sooners 51-23. Joe Antilla scored the OT winner.

Not sure what UBC picked up from these games, but there you have it.


ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS 5
SIMON FRASER CLAN 3

Links:
|> [BCIHL Results - links to summaries] : [SFU Twitter]
|> [SFU Site] : [Great Northwest Showcase Site] : [ASU Site]

After putting so much into this event you would think that SFU would have a link the stories and summaries, even if it was for their own games at least. But noooooooooooooooo! All there is consists of a few tweets.


TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 2
ACADIA AXEMEN 4

Links:
|> [AUS Boxscore]
|> [Acadia Game Story]

That Acadia would win this game is not a surprise. That Toronto actually outshot Acadia, is one. The two sides also amassed 70 minutes in penalties in the 3rd period. At least one can acknowledge that these teams have regular season intensity ready to go.


MONCTON BLUE EAGLES -
UPEI PANTHERS -

Links:
|> [UPEI Schedule/Results Page]

I could not find a result for this anywhere. The AUS site ticker only included Acadia's game. UPEI's Twitter and website have nothing.


QUEEN'S GOLDEN GAELS 1
CARLETON RAVENS 5

Links:
|> [Carleton Game Story]

This was a neutral site game held in Kemptville, Ont. as a fundraiser for youth hockey. Cartoon U racked up a solid win, consistent with their first half performance.


AUGUSTANA VIKINGS 6
WILLISTON TETONS 1

I have no links for this one, just the score being listed on the ACAC site.

UP NEXT:

Non-conference Games:

Sunday, December 30
Team Russia vs New Brunswick (at Saint John, NB)
Toronto vs Saint Mary’s (at Truro, NS)
Guelph at York
Windsor at Western Ontario

Monday, December 31
Team Russia at New Brunswick

[Hollywood2]

December 30, 2012

Well, we have updates from Saturday and the CIS Site has restarted their daily updates. And the CW has their new weekly media update in pdf format. These links disappear each week so if you want to save a copy for a mid-season review, do it now.

Links:
|> [CIS Saturday Update]
|> [CIS Sunday Update]
|> [CW Week #10 Media Notes - pdf]

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD


RUSSIAN MHL RED STARS 3
NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 7

Links:
|> [UNB Game Story with Summary]

This Red Stars team is hard to gauge. The MHL is a junior league with teams in Russia and other east European countries. They have taken past tours to the States and their results are all over the map. On this tour their prior results are:
11-2 win over Atlantic Junior League All-Stars
6-2 win over Army Black Knights
10-2 loss to Yale Bulldogs

Sunday's game was in St. John and Monday's rematch will be in Fredericton. Of note, there was a huge blizzard out east. It was fortunate that the teams made it to the game. Phil Esposito was there as a special guest as the 1972 series was commemorated.


GUELPH GRYPHONS 3
YORK LIONS 1

Links:
|> [Guelph Game Story]

York's slippage continued to at least the non-conference games.


WINDSOR LANCERS 3
WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 4
(in shoot-out)

Links:
|> [UWO Game Story]

These two teams seem destined to fight for first in the OUAW. Of course, Lakehead would have something to say for that.


TORONTO VARSITY BLUES -
SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES -

This game was postponed to Monday due to the Atlantic snow storm.


MONCTON BLUE EAGLES 5
UPEI PANTHERS 4
(in shoot-out)

Links:
|> [UPEI Schedule/Results Page]

This game was in fact played as scheduled on Saturday but not reported until Sunday.


AUGUSTANA VIKINGS 2
ROSETOWN REDWINGS 7

Once again, I have no links for this one. The score was listed on the ACAC site. Rosetown is a AAA Senior team who who hosted Augustana and Williston. They lost to Southeast Prairie Thunder in last year's Allan Cup final.

UP NEXT:

Non-conference Games:

Monday, December 31
Team Russia at New Brunswick
Toronto vs Saint Mary’s (at Truro, NS)

[Hollywood2]

December 31, 2012

The Christmas break exhibition season wrapped up tonight with a pair of games in the Maritimes. The resumption of the regular season is only 3 days away.

Links:
|> [CIS Monday Update - not uploaded as I post]

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD


RUSSIAN MHL RED STARS 2
NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 5

Links:
|> [UNB Schedule/Results Page]

There are no links as I post, so all I know is the score. The Squirrels take the series 2-0 and the Russkies fall to 2-3 on the tour, with one game left against Brown.


TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 4
SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 5

Links:
|> [SMU Schedule/Results Page]

This was the game postponed from Sunday. All that is uploaded as I post is the score. Toronto goes 0-2 in their mini-tour.

UP NEXT:

Thursday, January 3
Waterloo at Laurier

Friday, January 4
Manitoba at Saskatchewan : [CanadaWest.tv]
Lethbridge at Regina
Calgary at UBC
Alberta at NAIT [non-conference]
Acadia at New Brunswick
St. Thomas at Saint Mary’s
Moncton at St. Francis Xavier
Dalhousie at UPEI
Carleton at McGill
Ryerson at Nipissing
Queen’s at RMC
Western Ontario at Brock
Windsor at UOIT
York at Waterloo
Guelph at Lakehead

[Hollywood2]

WEEKEND PREVIEW


MANITOBA BISONS (9-4-3, 12-6-3-1, OHT35 #9)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (13-3-0, 15-4-1, OHT35 #3)

Friday, January 4th, 7:00 p.m. CST @ Saskatoon
Saturday, January 5th, 7:00 p.m. CST @ Saskatoon

Live Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Video Both Nights - CanadaWest.tv]

Manitoba Links:
|> [U of M Site - check for preview story]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Saskatchewan Links:
|> [Sask. Site (New Link)]
|> [LS Roster] : [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]
|> [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Prior Games:
|> [Oct 12: Manitoba 3-1] : [Oct 13: Sask 2-1]

Other Links:
|> [CIS Site] : [Schedule/Results/Links]
|> [CW Site] : [Schedule/Results/Links] : [Standings]
|> [LeagueStat Daily] : [CW Weekly Media Notes #10]
|> [Every Link Re: CIS Hockey]
|> [Brody Melnychuk Career Stats]

So the break is over and time to get back to the grind. The CW has by coincidence three close match-ups, and the primary one is between the Bisons and Banjo-Mutts. The #2 and #3 teams in the CW and #3 and #9 teams in the CIS.

Of note, the Bison roster page, on both their site and LeagueStat, has verified the addition of defenceman Brody Melnychuk. He is a grad of the Brandon Wheat Kings. They now have 16 forwards, 9 defencemen, and 3 goaltenders on the roster. Hopefully there will be a preview story at GoBisons.ca on Thursday or Friday which deals with this acquisition.

The end of the season comes quickly and suddenly. Christmas just ended and now we are in the final drive to the playoffs. After this weekend, both sides will have only 10 games remaining. So this trip to that 70's town is of major importance to the Bisons. The Herd trail the Bumpkins by 5 points. IMO the Bisons need to win the weekend series by a minimum margin of 4-1 if they want to make a charge for 2nd place.

When these teams met in Friendly Manitoba the Bisons were able to shut down the Hillbillies. But nobody else has. The Moonshiners are 2nd to Alberta in goals scored. Both games can be seen on-line at CanadaWest.tv.

ELSEWHERE:


LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (1-13-2, 3-18-2, OHT35 #35)
REGINA COUGARS (7-7-2, 8-13-2, OHT35 #20)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [no live audio or video]
|> [U of R Preview Story - reposted at CW Site]
|> [U of L Preview Story]

Both of these teams have released preview stories right on time. From Regina:

Second-year forward Tyler Henry continues to lead the Cougars in both goals (8) and points (13), while Matt Strueby is tied for the team lead with seven assists and ranks second on the squad with 12 points. Troy Hunter has 11 points in 11 games this season, but missed the final five games of the first half of the schedule due to an injury suffered against Alberta back on Nov. 16.

John Sonntag leads Regina's blueline corps with five points on the season, while Mark Schneider and rookie defenceman Ryan Dech have both chipped in with four points apiece. Andrew Hayes and Lucas Gore have split the netminding duties equally, as both goalies have started eight games so far. Hayes is 4-4 with two shutouts and a .909 save percentage, while Gore's top outing of the season came after stopping 28 shots in a 2-1 win over Mount Royal. ...

The Cougars come into the weekend series with an all-time record of 60-43-7 against Lethbridge and have won four of the last five meetings with the Pronghorns. ...

And from Lethbridge:

It has been a struggle at both ends of the rink for the ‘Horns through the first 16 games. The ‘Horns rank last in both goals for and goals against, scoring only 32 times, while allowing 82 goals against. While it has been a trying first half of the season, it has not been all doom and gloom, 36 of the 82 goals allowed have come in four games and of their 13 losses, the ‘Horns have lost six time by two goals or less, with two of those losses coming in overtime.

Freshman forward Chase Schaber has also been a bright spot offensively for the ‘Horns, Schaber is tied for the conference scoring lead among freshmen with six goals and nine assists.

For the Cougars (7-7-2 CW), transition under first-year head coach Todd Johnson has relatively smooth and while they are sitting at 500, they have already surpassed their win total from last season. The Cougars finished the 2011-12 season in last place with a 5-20-3 record.

CALGARY DINOS (9-7-0, 12-10-0, OHT35 #17)
UBC THUNDERBIRDS (9-6-1, 14-7-1-1, OHT35 #13)

Links:
|> [Live Stats Friday] : [Live Stats Saturday]
|> [Live Audio - Saturday - CITR.ca]
|> [UBC Site - check for preview story]

Only one point separates these two teams in the race for 4th place. Last year the Bedrock Boys chased down the Tweety-Birds and then eliminated them from the playoffs. These two look to be on a collison course for a rematch.

The Dinos have had some major offensive explosions this year, 8-0 over Sask and 10-1 over Lethbridge. Could they repeat this against UBC? I suspect not. In fact, I suspect a split, just like they had when they met in Bedrock.


ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (14-4-0, 23-4-0, OHT35 #1)
NAIT OOKS (13-0-1-1, 14-3-1-1, ACAC #1)

Links:
|> [no on-line live stats]
|> [no on-line audio or video]
|> [Alberta Site - check for preview story]
|> [NAIT Preview Story] : [NAIT Schedule/Results]

The Evil Monkeys played their series against the New Kittens on the Block during the first half bye week, thus freeing up this coming weekend. Therefore, a space was created for them to play their cross-town rivals in a home-and-home series. NAIT is unbeaten in ACAC conference play. In their only game against a CW team they lost 3-0 to the H0rny Ones.

OUT EAST:

Thursday, January 3
Waterloo at Laurier

Friday, January 4
Acadia at New Brunswick
St. Thomas at Saint Mary’s
Moncton at St. Francis Xavier
Dalhousie at UPEI
Carleton at McGill
Ryerson at Nipissing
Queen’s at RMC
Western Ontario at Brock
Windsor at UOIT
York at Waterloo
Guelph at Lakehead

NEWS:

There are some additional links from the holiday goings-on across the CIS. Also, there is a pro-roster cap story from the STU-Pids.
Links:
UNB v MHL: [VarsityReds.ca] : [Hockey Scene Game 1] : [Hockey Scene Game 2]
Moncton v UPEI: [Hockey Scene]
Toronto v Acadia: [Axemen Hockey] : [Hockey Scene] : [Boxscore News]
AUS Roster Cap: [The Aquinian - reposted at C.U.P.]

[Hollywood2]

WEEKEND PREVIEW Updated

The U of M Site has not posted a weekend preview. But UBC and Sask have, and those links are posted. Sask also has a new late recruit, Jake Trask from Tulsa of the CHL. He's a former Saskatoon Blade. And the first game of 2013 has now been played, namely the K-W Derby in the OUA.

More Links:
|> [U of S Preview Story - reposted at Boxscore News]
|> [Jake Trask Career Stats]
|> [UBC Preview Story]

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD:

Thursday, January 3
Waterloo 1 Laurier 2 : [CIS Boxscore]

Laurier halted a 4 game losing streak with a mild upset win over their cross-town rival. They probably needed the 2 points just a little more. While Waterloo is fighting to move up to 4th place and home ice advantage in the first round, Laurier is in a tight race for the last two playoff spots.