Quick Summary
Man: J. Arpin (16:07 2nd) , J. Hooker (00:32 3rd)
UBC: T. Rask (02:20 1st) , J. Wright (04:11 1st) , J. Wright (08:03 1st) , S. Huo (14:36 1st) , S. Atkinson (16:39 1st) , C. Latimer (12:10 2nd) , J. Form (19:59 3rd)
Goal: Man: Holt (L) (16 shots, 11 saves), Thornton (22 shots, 20 saves), UBC: Schwebius (19 shots, 17 saves)
This was a rough start for the Herd. The T-irds scored on their first two shots (which took four minutes) and by the end of the 1st period had five goals on 16 shots. That spelled the end of the night for starting goalie, Braden Holt. Kolby Thornton only gave up one goal per period thereafter, the last one with just one second left. However, when down 5-0 it is hard to see the result being in doubt. The other three Friday night CW games were all 3-0 after the 1st period.
Quick Summary
MacU: none
Sask: V. Loschiavo (02:42 1st) , V. Loschiavo (05:43 1st) , D. Holt (16:18 1st) , K. Sorensen (16:38 2nd) , L. Keeler (10:05 3rd) , V. Loschiavo (15:02 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (30 shots, 24 saves), Sask: Ross (22 shots, 22 saves)
Similar to the Bison game, this was (almost) over at the end of the 1st period. The Family Guys could not be expected to rally against the Banjo-Mutts. The Bisons will be happy that they lost no ground, at least.
Quick Summary
TWU: none
Calg: J. Gricius (07:58 1st) , C. Gengenbach (08:53 1st) , J. Gricius (17:52 1st) , Z. Wytinck (03:37 2nd) , D. Sydor (10:00 2nd) , N. King (11:19 3rd) , L. Hauer (13:50 3rd)
Goal: TWU: Sommer (L) (42 shots, 36 saves), Savage (5 shots, 4 saves), Calg: Martin (25 shots, 25 saves)
This was the third one-sided game of the evening. (Good thing last-placed Regina had the bye!) Holy Trinity yanked goaltender Leon Summer 11 minutes into the 3rd period after he gave up his 6th goal of the game. Rookie Cole Savage then came on to play his first 8 minutes of CW hockey. The Spartans, rather than Bedrock U, were the ones to play a man short in this one.
Quick Summary
Alta: J. Prokop (00:57 2nd)
MRU: J. Wiens (01:30 1st) , J. Lies (04:26 1st) , J. Tarzwell (09:35 1st) , B. Stevenson (18:28 3rd)
Goal: Alta: Kruger (39 shots, 36 saves), MRU: Farkas (25 shots, 24 saves)
This was the feature game of the nght, but it was also 3-0 after the 1st period. This is a big win for the Bluegars. The fact that they outshot the Evil Monkeys by such a large margin is something that would not have happened to the Apes of the past. In any event, it seems to me that the more games the CW’s top tier teams play against one another, the more they will condense in the standings.
NEXT UP
Sat Nov 30 MacEwan at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Manitoba at U.B.C. 3:00 PST/5:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Trinity Western at Calgary 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Mount Royal at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
STANDINGS
OUT EAST
Fri Nov 29 Toronto Metropolitan 1 Western Ontario 3
Fri Nov 29 Waterloo 2 R.M.C. 1 (ot)
Fri Nov 29 Lakehead 0 Ontario Tech 3
Fri Nov 29 Carleton 6 Ottawa 3
Fri Nov 29 York 3 McGill 7
Fri Nov 29 U.Q.T.R. 2 Queen's 3
Sat Nov 30 Laurier at Brock 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 York at Concordia 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 U.Q.T.R. at R.M.C. 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Waterloo at Queen's 2:30 EST/1:30 CST
Sat Nov 30 Toronto at McGill 3:30 EST/2:30 CST
Sat Nov 30 Ottawa at Carleton 4:00 EST/3:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Toronto Metropolitan at Windsor 4:00 EST/3:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Western Ontario at Ontario Tech 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sun Dec 1 Windsor at Brock 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sun Dec 1 Nipissing at Concordia 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sun Dec 1 Laurier at Guelph 2:30 EST/1:30 CST
Fri Nov 29 Acadia 3 New Brunswick 5
Fri Nov 29 St. F.X. 6 U.P.E.I. 1
Sat Nov 30 Saint Mary’s at New Brunswick 4:00 AST/2:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 U.P.E.I. at Dalhousie 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Acadia at Moncton 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Nov 29 Portage College 3 Red Deer Poly 7
Fri Nov 29 Briercrest College 5 S.A.I.T. 2
Fri Nov 29 N.A.I.T. 3 UA-Augustana 5
Sat Nov 30 Portage College at Red Deer Poly 1:00 MST/2:00 CST
Sat Nov 30 Briercrest College at S.A.I.T. 2:45 PM MST
Sat Nov 30 UA-Augustana at N.A.I.T. 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Fri Nov 29 Vancouver Island 8 Logan Lake 1
Fri Nov 29 Victoria 1 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) 5 (EX)
Sat Nov 30 Vancouver Island at Okanagan 6:00 PST/8:00 CST
Quick Summary
Man: A. Sutter (03:21 2nd) , J. Hooker (10:05 2nd) , P. Malchuk (11:10 2nd) , E. Alarie (17:49 2nd) , A. Sutter (03:12 3rd)
UBC: J. Lee (00:56 1st) , C. Latimer (01:51 1st) , C. Douglas (02:00 2nd) , J. Wright (05:34 2nd) , S. Huo (08:29 2nd) , B. Keon (14:47 2nd) , C. Douglas (12:40 3rd)
Goal: Man: Holt (30 shots, 25 saves), Thornton (L) (16 shots, 14 saves), UBC: Mirwald (21 shots, 16 saves)
Once again, the Bisons fell behind early. However, this time they fought back gamely and could have stolen a point with any breaks. Braden Holt started in goal, again. On Friday he was pulled in the 1st intermission down 5-0. In this game, he was pulled mid-2nd period down 5-1.
Back-to-back powerplay goals mid-2nd period got the Bisons back in the game, at 5-3. The period ended 6-4 for the T-irds, that’s four goals each in a wild period. Andre Sutter scored early in the 3rd period (his 2nd of the night and season) and suddenly it was a 6-5 game. However, the period was fairly uneventful in comparison to the 2nd. UBC had an insurance goal but there were no penalties, nor any rambunctious behaviour.
Of note, Dexter Whittle returned to the Bison blueline. He was injured in pre-season against the Manitoba Moose. They could still use a 6'4" 225 lbs. blueliner going forward.
The Herd have now become the last team in the CW to hit the mid-way mark. They have just three series against Tier 1 teams (home and away against Sask and at home against Alberta) and four series against Tier 2 teams (home and away against Regina, and at home against MacEwan and Trinity).
Quick Summary
MacU: K. Chabot (12:15 1st), C. Chorney (12:37 1st)
Sask: L. Keeler (00:31 1st), B. Tkachuk (11:10 1st), C. Stebbings (15:16 1st), L. Keeler (00:16 2nd), K. Sorensen (04:23 2nd), V. Loschiavo (07:57 2nd), J. Ball (09:55 2nd), C. Petruic (17:19 2nd), R. Pelletier (01:34 3rd), B. Tkachuk (10:58 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Epp (L) (19 shots, 12 saves), Ironside (11 shots, 8 saves), Sask: Ross (25 shots, 23 saves)
Were the Banjo-Mutts that good? Or were the Family Guys that bad? This game overlapped the Bison game so I missed it. Here the interesting observations from the summary:
1. MacEwan played one man short.
2. Roddy Ross started both games in the Mutts’ goal this weekend, ending their rotation system for the first time this season.
3. The shots were just 30-25 in favour of the Mutts.
4. There was a brouhaha 4:49 into the 2nd period, where three players on each side had 10-minute misconducts.
Quick Summary
TWU: . Klessens (07:04 1st) , L. Spadafora (19:59 1st)
Calg: Z. Wytinck (14:33 2nd) , M. Stewart (12:42 3rd) , C. Gengenbach (13:27 3rd)
Goal: TWU: Sommer (38 shots, 35 saves), Calg: Tetachuk (19 shots, 17 saves)
Holy Trinity threw a major scare into Bedrock U in this one. They outshot the Dinos 13-6 in the 1st period, and held a 2-0 lead. However, the Dinos wore down the short-staffed Spartans (they were down two men), out-shooting them 16-2 in the 2nd period and 16-4 in the 3rd to rally for the win. The tying and winning goals were scored less than a minute apart, at 12:42 and 13:27 of the 3rd period.
Quick Summary
MRU: J. Tarzwell (00:49 2nd), J. Wiens (04:24 3rd)
Alta: T. Preziuso (05:22 1st), T. Preziuso (18:11 1st), J. Prokop (19:56 1st), A. Thacker (09:36 3rd), T. Laventure (10:46 3rd)
Goal: MRU: Farkas (26 shots, 21 saves), Alta: Palmer (34 shots, 32 saves)
I saw a large portion of this game and it was worthy of the status of a game between division leaders. The Evil Monkeys were led by their powerplay. They were outshot 34-26 on the evening, but when you go 3-for-7 on the PP, with a short-handed goal for good measure, you usually win. It was kind of a streaky game. The Monkeys led 3-0, the Bluegars made it 3-2, then a quick pair in the 3rd made it 5-2 final.
NEXT UP
Thu Dec 5 U.B.C. at Trinity Western 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 Regina at Manitoba 7:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 Trinity Western at U.B.C. 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Sat Dec 7 Regina at Manitoba 5:00 CST (end of 1st semester)
STANDINGS
OUT EAST
Sat Nov 30 Laurier 2 Brock 4
Sat Nov 30 York 1 Concordia 6
Sat Nov 30 U.Q.T.R. 5 R.M.C. 0
Sat Nov 30 Waterloo 2 Queen's 3
Sat Nov 30 Toronto 3 McGill 6
Sat Nov 30 Ottawa 4 Carleton 5 (ot)
Sat Nov 30 Toronto Metropolitan 3 Windsor 2
Sat Nov 30 Western Ontario 1 Ontario Tech 4
Sun Dec 1 Windsor at Brock 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sun Dec 1 Nipissing at Concordia 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Sun Dec 1 Laurier at Guelph 2:30 EST/1:30 CST
Wed Dec 4 Western Ontario at Windsor 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Thu Dec 5 Laurier at Waterloo 7:00 EST/6:00 CST (end of 1st semester)
Sat Nov 30 Saint Mary’s 3 New Brunswick 7
Sat Nov 30 U.P.E.I. 5 Dalhousie 1
Sat Nov 30 Acadia 4 Moncton 5
Wed Dec 4 Saint Mary's at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST (end of 1st semester)
This weekend marks the end of the first semester, and is a “mini-week” with just two conference series. The weekend of January 3-5 is similarly a “mini-week”, with both weekends featuring non-conference games as well.
The schedule this year is weird. These teams play for the 2nd time, with both series in Manitoba. The Bisons will travel to Banjoland for the 3rd series in the new year. It is odd that the Bisons are once again playing a team coming off a bye week.
The low-point of the Bison season was their home ice loss to the Banjo-Cats in the 2nd game of that first series. For the Kittens, being swept by Holy Trinity is their low-point.
The Bisons have played just four games against Tier 2 opposition thus far (going 2-1-1). They need to put together a string of wins in the remaining eight games against Tier 2 teams (four with Regina, two each against MacEwan and Trinity).
This is an unusual Thursday-Friday home-and-home series. The T-irds host on Thursday, Holy Trinity on Friday. It is really hard to imagine Trinity winning a game here. Since entering the CW, UBC has won all 23 games, with one going into overtime. UBC also won all four non-conference games played before the 2020-21 season.
N.A.I.T. OOKS (5-6-1, 6-7-1, ACAC #5) ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (13-3-0, 16-8-1, OHT35 #5)
This Battle of Edmontown used to be very frequent, but according to the UofA site, they have not played since 2019. Lifetime, the Evil Monkeys are 23-4-1 (the “1" being a tie, the Monkeys ave 3 OTWs, and the Ooks have one OTW). NAIT are not dominating the ACAC as they once did. They are currently sitting 5th out of 7 teams in the ACAC. This is their first series against CW opposition this year, which is unusual.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Thu Dec 5 U.B.C. at Trinity Western 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 Regina at Manitoba 7:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 Trinity Western at U.B.C. 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 N.A.I.T. at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
Sat Dec 7 Regina at Manitoba 5:00 CST
Sat Dec 7 Alberta at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
OUT EAST
Sun Dec 1 Windsor 2 Brock 1
Sun Dec 1 Nipissing 0 Concordia 5
Sun Dec 1 Laurier 1 Guelph 2
Wed Dec 4 Western Ontario 2 Windsor 6
Thu Dec 5 Laurier at Waterloo 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Quick Summary
UBC: S. Mutala (13:05 1st) , S. Mutala (17:08 1st) , S. Huo (02:09 2nd) , S. Mutala (01:00 3rd) , S. Huo (05:48 3rd) , J. Wismer (18:54 3rd)
TWU: C. Lowe (04:31 2nd) , C. Farren (05:56 2nd) , L. Spadafora (18:38 2nd)
Goal: UBC: Mirwald (19 shots, 16 saves), TWU: Sommer (43 shots, 37 saves)
This was the only CW game of the evening, so it gets a post all to itself. Holy Trinity made it interesting. It was 3-3 after two periods. The Spartans were short-handed again, with just 16 skaters.
NEXT UP
Fri Dec 6 Regina at Manitoba 7:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 Trinity Western at U.B.C. 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Dec 6 N.A.I.T. at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
Sat Dec 7 Regina at Manitoba 5:00 CST
Sat Dec 7 Alberta at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
OUT EAST
Thu Dec 5 Laurier 3 Waterloo 6 (End of the 1st semester.)
Links note: LeagueStat’s “Daily Schedule” link is no longer working. The monthly calendar and season schedule work, and individual games can be accessed through those. The “Media Access” page has a new URL, as linked.
Quick Summary
Reg: none
Man: S. Bruce (05:13 2nd) , J. Hooker (09:55 2nd) , B. Bonni (12:24 2nd) , C. Zaplitny (04:17 3rd) , S. Bruce (08:21 3rd)
Goal: Reg: Evanoff (29 shots, 24 saves), Man: Thornton (31 shots, 31 saves)
The Bisons snapped their losing streak, paced by Kolby Thornton’s shut-out, Dawson Pasternak’s season debut, and Skylar Bruce’s four-point night (two goals and two assists). Here’s how they lined up:
The addition of Pasternak gave the Bisons a boost. They were able to move Captain Hooker (their leading scorer) to the 3rd line and generated a much more balanced attack in the process. Bruce’s first goal opened the scoring, and it was set up by a beautiful pass from Pasternak.
The Bisons were guilty of taking their foot off the gas in the 3rd period, allowing Regina to close the gap on the shot clock.
Quick Summary
TWU: J. Klessens (01:36 1st) , C. Farren (02:54 2nd) , C. Farren (16:43 3rd)
UBC: S. Atkinson (02:05 1st) , S. Atkinson (11:29 1st) , J. Wismer (13:28 1st) , J. Lee (01:42 3rd) , C. Douglas (07:06 3rd) , S. Atkinson (15:01 3rd)
Goal: TWU: Sommer (38 shots, 32 saves), UBC: Schwebius (14 shots, 11 saves)
After attending the Bison game, I saw from the end of the 2nd period onward in this game. The T-irds led 3-2 after two, scored early in the 3rd to put Holy Trinity in trouble. A powerplay came the Spartans’ way but a short-handed goal put the game away. In the “Boys-Will-Be-Boys” department, there were a total of NINE roughing penalties (five to Holy Trinity), and a five-minute cross-checking major to the T-irds.
This non-conference game was such a wipe-out that neither side uploaded anything about it. NAIT, and the ACAC in general, are not doing as well as they used to do against the CW.
NEXT UP
Sat Dec 7 Regina at Manitoba 5:00 CST
Sat Dec 7 Alberta at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
For some reason, the Bisons replaced Kolby Thornton (and his 22 hour old shutout and .911 save percentage) with Braden Holt (and his .879 save percentage). In my opinion, they are relatively equal in calibre. So I would use the hot hand. Especially in a must-win game.
In any event, the Bisons had a 2-0 lead in the 1st period and this looked like a replay of Friday night’s win. Once the Bisons stopped skating, it became a chippy game where the teams swapped powerplays. Each side had two powerplay goals in the end. Captain Hooker scored his 10th of the season for the Bisons.
The Christmas break is now upon us. The Bisons play in the Excited States on Dec 28 & 29, and Jan 3 & 4. The next home series is against Holy Trinity on Jan 10 & 11. The Bisons must sweep both TWU and MacEwan in the new year.
What a rebound by the Ooks! From a 10-2 loss, to a 4-3 win. Good for them!
NEXT UP
Sat Dec 28 Manitoba at Omaha 2:00 CST EX
Sun Dec 29 Manitoba at Minnesota State 3:00 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 MacEwan at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 3 Mount Royal at Calgary 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 3 Manitoba at Bemidji State 7:07 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 Red Deer Poly at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 U.B.C. v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 7:15 PST/9:15 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Alberta at MacEwan 5:00 MST/6:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Calgary at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Manitoba at North Dakota 6:07 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Red Deer Poly at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Trinity Western v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 4:30 PST/6:30 CST EX
The Christmas break is over for the Bisons, and they finish 2024 with games againbst two teams of Mavericks, one in Omaha and one in Minnesota State. They will then open 2025 with their last two non-conference games against UND and Bemidji State. Ther could be more reportage on these games Friday and Saturday as people get back to work after holidays.
ELSEWHERE IN THE CW
No games.
OUT EAST
Sun Dec 29 Concordia at Clarkson 4:00 EST/3:00 CST NCAA EX
Mon Dec 30 Guelph at Niagara 2:00 EST/1:00 CST NCAA EX
Non-Conference Games
Sat Dec 28 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) at Massachusetts 6:00 EST/5:00 CST EX
Sun Dec 29 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) at Massachusetts-Lowell 3:30 EST/2:30 CST EX
This game was 2-0 until a UNO penalty shot goal 13:55 into the 3rd period opened the floodgates. Kolby Thornton started in the Bison net, and stopped 24 of 25 1st period shots. Third-string goaltender Ross Hawryluk stopped 12 of the 16 shots he faced in the closing two periods. The final shots-on-goal were 40-20 in favour of UNO.
The game drew a crowd of 6,455 Nebraskans who could not give a crap about the NFL.
The radio team pointed out that UNO’s first game in program history was in 1997, which was a loss to the Bisons. I found a link to that game. The Bisons won 3-2 and over 8,400 fans were there.
OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD
Sat Dec 28 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) 3 Massachusetts 4 (NCAA) : Story Sun Dec 29 Concordia (OUA) 5 Clarkson 1 (NCAA) : Story Sun Dec 29 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) 2 Massachusetts-Lowell 9 (NCAA) : Story
Mon Dec 30 Manitoba at Minnesota State 3:00 CST EX
Mon Dec 30 Guelph at Niagara 2:00 EST/1:00 CST EX
This was the end of the calendar year, and the Bisons lost to the #11-ranked team in the NCAA. Josh Paulhus had the Bison goal.
I have to talk about goaltending. Braden Holt went the distance in the Bison net, stopping 28 of 34 shots (.824 S%). Hopefully, the coaching staff will look at the weekend stats, and the season stats, and give Kolby Thornton the starting job when conference play resumes. On the weekend, Thornton stopped 24 of 25 shots (.960 S%) in one period, and Hawryluk stopped 12 of 16 (.750 S%) in two periods. On the regular season, Thornton has a 3.27 GAA and .911 S% while Holt has a 4.82 GAA and .879 S%.
If the Bisons want to make a playoff push, they will need to go with the hot hand in the crease.
The radio announcers pointed out that the teams played a pair of overtime games in December of 1992. MSU won the first one (3-2) and the second ended tied (6-6).
OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD
Mon Dec 30 Guelph (OUA) 2 Niagara (NCAA) 5 : Story
NEXT UP
A mix of conference and non-conference play before classes start on the Monday.
CWUAA
Fri Jan 3 MacEwan at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 3 Mount Royal at Calgary 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 3 Manitoba at Bemidji State (NCAA) 7:07 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 Red Deer Poly (ACAC) at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 Briercrest College (ACAC) at Regina 7:30 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 U.B.C. v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 7:15 PST/9:15 CST
Sat Jan 4 Alberta at MacEwan 5:00 MST/6:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Calgary at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Manitoba at North Dakota (NCAA) 6:07 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Briercrest College (ACAC) at Regina 3:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Red Deer Poly (ACAC) at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Trinity Western v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 4:30 PST/6:30 CST
OUA
Fri Jan 3 York at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 York at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Guelph at R.I.T. (NCAA) 5:00 EST/4:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Concordia at Colgate (NCAA) 3:00 EST/2:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 China at Windsor 7:30 EST/6:30 CST EX
Sun Jan 5 R.M.C. at Toronto 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
ACAC
Fri Jan 3 S.A.I.T. at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST EX
Only the CW has all teams active on the coming weekend, with most classes across the country not resuming until Monday, January 6th. The schedule has a blend of conference and non-conference action. Manitoba is going to the Excited States to play NCAA teams, the Banjolanders are hosting ACAC teams, and the British Californians are playing All-Star Games. Only the Saudi Albertans are playing conference games, with all of them facing their cross-town rivals in home-and-home series. Now, that’s a blend!
The 1st semester was a disappointment for the Bisons. What they failed to recruit was a big blueline capable of clearing the slot, and they have suffered as a result.
This weekend they play their 5th and 6th games against NCAA teams, to go along with two games the AHL Moose, two against the OUA Thunderwolves, and four usual CW exhibitions. If anything, they should be prepared for the 2nd semester. There are only six regular season series remaining on the schedule, so it gets late early.
ELSEWHERE IN THE CW
LeagueStat’s Daily Schedule links have not recovered, so you need to go to the Monthly Schedule, then check on one game at a time after they start.
The Evil Monkeys keep teasing a return to their days as a top contender, but then slip on a banana peel. Like their cross-town, non-conference series against NAIT to send the 1st semester. They won 10-2, then lost 4-3. One would think they would sweep the Family Guys, but you never know with this Monkey line-up. The Gateway Online stories are worth a read. One story looks into the Monkeys, UNB, Concordia, and Queen’s, and the other has Greasers’ Coach Knoblauch making an annual pitch for USports players.
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (12-4-0, 14-5-1, OHT35 #5) CALGARY DINOSAURS (10-5-1, 16-6-1, OHT35 #8)
The Bluegars sit in 2nd place, 3 points ahead of the Dinos and one point behind the T-irds. The Dinos must win the series if they want that bye past the quarter-final round. One of these years the Bluegars are going to make the big jump into the conference finals, at least.
BRIERCREST COLLEGE CLIPPERS (9-2-1, 12-4-1, ACAC #2) REGINA COUGARS (3-13-0, 4-17-1, OHT35 #35)
This non-conference, cross-conference match-up should be interesting. Used to be that Briercrest was destroyed in series like this, but this year they could be shooting for a split.
I have some hope that this will evolve into an annual event for the weekend before conference play resumes. Holy Trinity and UBC are the only CW teams with 18 GPs, so the season ending is coming fast.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Fri Jan 3 MacEwan at Alberta 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 3 Mount Royal at Calgary 7:00 MST/8:00 CST Fri Jan 3 Manitoba at Bemidji State (NCAA) 7:07 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 Red Deer Poly (ACAC) at Saskatchewan 7:00 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 Briercrest College (ACAC) at Regina 7:30 CST EX
Fri Jan 3 U.B.C. v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 7:15 PST/9:15 CST
Sat Jan 4 Alberta at MacEwan 5:00 MST/6:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Calgary at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST Sat Jan 4 Manitoba at North Dakota (NCAA) 6:07 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Briercrest College (ACAC) at Regina 3:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Red Deer Poly (ACAC) at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Trinity Western v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 4:30 PST/6:30 CST
OUT EAST
Fri Jan 3 York at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 York at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST Sat Jan 4 Guelph at R.I.T. (NCAA) 5:00 EST/4:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Concordia at Colgate (NCAA) 3:00 EST/2:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 China at Windsor (NCAA) 7:30 EST/6:30 CST EX
Sun Jan 5 R.M.C. at Toronto 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Tue Jan 7 Ottawa at R.M.C. 7:00 EST/6:00 CST (continuation of game suspended on Nov 8th)
NOTE: No mis-print. York and Lakehead play an exhibition game on Friday, followed by a regular season game on Saturday.
Mon Jan 6 Acadia at Dalhousie 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Wed Jan 8 Moncton at U.P.E.I. 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
The BSU Gameday link had the projected lines, which for the Bisons were:
Manitoba Forwards
Jonny Hooker – Riley Stotts – Dawson Pasternak
Josh Paulhus – Caden Zaplitny – Skyler Bruce
Grady Lane – Michael King – Codey Behun
Riley Zimmerman – Cameron Trimble – Andre Sutter
Extra Forward – Andrew Boucher
Manitoba Defence
Ben Bonni – Parker Malchuk
Evan Toth – Owen Wareham
Kian Calder – Lucas Fry
Extra Defence - Brandon Casey
Manitoba Goaltenders
Braden Holt
Ross Hawryluk
Therefore, the Bison scratches were Dexter Whittle, Eric Alarie, Hayden Ostir, Mitchell Joss, Jackson Arpin, Kolby Thornton
In goal, Braden Holt started and stopped 23 of 24 shots (.958 S%) in half a game. Ross Hawryluk played the 2nd half and stopped 19 of 23 shots (.826 S%). It’s good to see Holt generate Thornton-level stats.
Now it is on to The Ralph for a Saturday night game.
Quick Summary
MacU: E. Sundar (01:28 1st) , M. Pasemko (09:28 2nd) , S. Comrie (12:26 2nd) , E. Sundar (11:28 3rd)
Alta: A. de la Gorgendiere (04:04 1st) , A. Thacker (11:46 2nd) , S. Tschigerl (14:41 3rd)
Goal: MacU: Ward (38 shots, 35 saves), Alta: Kruger (23 shots, 19 saves)
The New Year starts with a stunning upset. I was focussed upon listening to the Bison game on the radio and watching the Bedrock/Bluegar game on CWTV, until this game became too enticing to ignore. This result was bad news for the Bisons, now 10 points behind The Family Guys. The ending was an all-out bombardment by the Evil Monkeys. They outshot MacU 16-3 in the 3rd period and had loads of excellent chances.
Quick Summary
MRU: B. Stevenson (09:37 1st) , J. Tarzwell (13:41 1st) , R. Holmes (16:37 1st) , C. Bouchard (12:13 2nd) , J. Lies (09:52 3rd) , J. Wiens (15:58 3rd) , C. Hanus (17:16 3rd)
Calg: B. Lee (10:30 2nd) , D. Sydor (14:06 2nd) , J. Gricius (18:08 2nd) , D. Melin (01:40 3rd)
Goal: MRU: Farkas (34 shots, 30 saves), Calg: Tetachuk (35 shots, 29 saves)
The Bluegars built a 4-1 lead in this one, before the Bedrock Boys stormed back, The game was tied 4-4 mid-way through the 3rd period. The win vaults the Bluegars into 1st place, one point ahead of UBC and five ahead of Bedrock U.
I do not see any reports on the game, and it is getting late.
NEXT UP
Sat Jan 4 Alberta at MacEwan 5:00 MST/6:00 CST
Sat Jan 4 Calgary at Mount Royal 7:00 MST/8:00 CST Sat Jan 4 Manitoba at North Dakota (NCAA) 6:07 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Briercrest College (ACAC) at Regina 3:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Red Deer Poly (ACAC) at Saskatchewan 5:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Trinity Western v BCIHL All-Stars (at Nanaimo) 4:30 PST/6:30 CST
OUT EAST
Fri Jan 3 York 3 Lakehead 4 EX
Sat Jan 4 York at Lakehead 7:00 EST/6:00 CST Sat Jan 4 Guelph at R.I.T. (NCAA) 5:00 EST/4:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 Concordia at Colgate (NCAA) 3:00 EST/2:00 CST EX
Sat Jan 4 China at Windsor (NCAA) 7:30 EST/6:30 CST EX
Quick Summary
1st 16:24 | UND – Mac Swanson from Jake Schmaltz and Abram Wiebe
2nd 06:08 | UND – Dalton Andrew from Swanson and Wiebe
3rd 03:28 | UND – Dane Montgomery from Louis Jamernik V
3rd 04:51 | UND – Carter Wilkie from Jayden Perron and Jake Livanavage
3rd 16:35 | UND – Cody Croal from Cade Littler and EJ Emery
The Bisons’ excursion to the Excited States ended with four losses, all by five goals. It appears that the Bison line-up was the same as on Friday night, except for the goaltenders. I listened to the radio stream. It seemed to be rather hum-drum until a mini-brouhaha early in the 3rd period, where two players each had roughing minors and one Fighting Hawk (or Roughing Hawk?) got an extra 10 minutes.
The Bisons now host Holy Trinity in a must-sweep series next weekend.
Quick Summary
Alta: B. Hyland (15:41 1st) , M. Lajoie (15:54 2nd) , M. Lajoie (05:06 3rd) , M. Lajoie (08:36 3rd) , S. Tschigerl (16:00 3rd)
MacU: V. Scott (10:54 1st) , S. Comrie (11:52 1st)
Goal: Alta: Palmer (25 shots, 23 saves), MacU: Epp (40 shots, 35 saves)
The Evil Monkeys salvaged a split, but it wasn’t easy. The Family Guys had a 2-0 lead in the 1st period. Marc Lajoie notched his 3rd, 4th, and 5th bananas of the season in a natural hat-trick situation to lead the Monkeys to victory. Thus unfolds the perplexing season for the Monkeys. Flashes of brilliance, interspersed with occasional flashes of mediocrity. They are a very difficult team to anticipate.
CALGARY DINOSAURS 4 MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 5 (in a shoot-out)
Quick Summary
Calg: N. King (05:27 2nd) , C. Gengenbach (15:18 2nd) , J. Joseph (01:26 3rd) , D. Sydor (04:05 3rd)
MRU: V. Watterodt (00:30 1st) , J. Tarzwell (09:39 1st) , C. Hanus (13:28 1st) , D. Milliken (00:28 3rd)
Goal: Calg: Tetachuk (15 shots, 12 saves), Martin (L) (23 shots, 22 saves), MRU: Farkas (37 shots, 33 saves)
The Bluegars built a 3-0 1st period, chasing Bedrock starter Carl Tetachuk from the crease. The Dinos mounted quite a comeback, in what was a free-flowing kind of game. It went all the way to a shoot-out, won 2-1 by the Bluegars. For the Dinos, the point was nice. But they’ll need to a hot finish to get at least 2nd place and host the quarter-final round.
My only source is a set of IG scoreboard photos from Briercrest. It is not surprising when an ACAC team loses to a CW team, but I thought Briercrest could give the Banjo-Cats a better fight.
I caught the ending of this game on YouTube on a delayed basis. The All-Stars had some skills, but clearly lacked the team concept, as one would expect. In any event, it would be nice if they kept this event going on an annual basis.
NEXT UP
Fri Jan 10 Saskatchewan at Regina 7:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Trinity Western at Manitoba 7:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Alberta at Calgary 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Mount Royal at U.B.C. 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
STANDINGS
OUT EAST
Sat Jan 4 York 1 Lakehead 8
Sat Jan 4 Guelph 3 R.I.T. (NCAA) 5 EX
Sat Jan 4 Concordia 4 Colgate (NCAA) 7 EX
Sat Jan 4 China 2 Windsor 4 EX: Game Story
Sun Jan 5 R.M.C. at Toronto 2:00 EST/1:00 CST
Tue Jan 7 Ottawa at R.M.C. 7:00 EST/6:00 CST continuation of game suspended on Nov 8th
Thu Jan 9 York at Western Ontario 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Thu Jan 9 Ontario Tech at Toronto 7:30 EST/6:30 CST
Thu Jan 9 Carleton at Ottawa 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Brock at Toronto Metropolitan 6:15 EST/5:15 CST
Fri Jan 10 Lakehead at Laurier 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Windsor at Concordia 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Queen's at Nipissing 7:00 EST/6:00 CST
Mon Jan 6 Acadia at Dalhousie 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Wed Jan 8 Moncton at U.P.E.I. 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Dalhousie at Saint Mary's 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 U.P.E.I. at New Brunswick 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 St. F.X. at Acadia 7:00 AST/5:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Red Deer Poly at S.A.I.T. 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Briercrest College at N.A.I.T. 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Concordia-Edmonton at Portage College 7:00 MST/8:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Okanagan at Simon Fraser 7:00 PST/9:00 CST
Fri Jan 10 Vancouver Island at Victoria 7:30 PST/9:30 CST
Fri Jan 10 Simon Fraser (NCAA2) at Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA) EX
