2013-14 Manitoba Bisons / CIS

:. [CIS Saturday Roundup]

The Bisons needed the win to stay alive, and they got just that. Here's how they lined up:

MANITOBA

Goal:

1 Caligiuri (34 Dubyk)

Defence:

2 Crowley - 22 Bestland

12 Sutherland - 24 Bobbee

6 Paulsen - 5 Christensen

Forwards:

29 Cain - 25 Ciarelli - 18 Kelly

21 Dickin - 10 Rowinski - 27 DePape

16 Paradis - 19 Duval - 20 Lewadniuk

8 Coates - 15 Scott - 17 Lauder

MOUNT ROYAL

Goal:

35 Flette (1 Lanigan)

Defence:

24 Marshall - 20 Tresierra

26 Beech - 21 Strong

4 Hrynyk - 6 McKay

Forwards:

27 Cartier - 22 Brown - 9 Gannon

18 Kirsch - 23 Fiddler - 16 Galbraith

12 Eskesen - 8 Turnbull - 28 Knopp

17 Barrett - 19 Huisman - 25 Jewitt

The 1st period started with a fast pace and plenty of solid hits. The sides exchanged goals, with MRU defenceman Billy Marshall converting a rebound from a mad scramble and Taylor Dickin finishing a passing play with his linemates.

The Bisons put their stamp on the game in the 2nd period. From that point on they carried the play unless MRU had a powerplay. Jesse Paradis notched the only goal of the period, burying a loose puck after a period of sustained Bison pressure. Jordan DePape was ejected and given a 5-minute major for a head shot. The Bisons killed the penalty fairly easily and the New-Kittens-on-the-Block hobbled into the intermission.

The 3rd period was a very defensive one, which suited the Bisons just fine. Ian Duval scored a highlight reel goal. A Lewadniuk breakaway was foiled by a backchecking Cougar. But Bestland to Duval for a goal is what followed. A couple of chintzy penalties gave MRU a two-man advantage, and they cashed in the opportunity. Dickin's 2nd of the night into an open net on a nice pass from Duval put the game away.

Game three goes Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Wayne Fleming Arena at the U of M, and can be seen on-line at CanadaWest.tv.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

UBC THUNDERBIRDS 2

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of S Game Story]

:. [UBC Game Story]

The Banjo-Mutts bounced back with an authoritative win to level their series with UBC at 1-1. It is hard to gauge this series with each side having a convincing win. If UBC win game 3 they would face Alberta and the Bison/MRU winner would face Calgary in the semi-finals.

OUT EAST:

Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

UOIT RIDGEBACKS 3

UQTR PATRIOTES 5

(UQTR wins OUA East quarter-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

This concludes the OUA East quarter-finals, all of which were sweeps. Now Cartoon U will face Queen's and UQTR will play McGill in the semi-finals.

WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 2

GUELPH GRYPHONS 1

(in overtime)

(OUA West quarter-final tied 1-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

YORK LIONS 2

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 5

(Lakehead wins OUA West quarter-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

TORONTO VARSITY BLUES 2

WINDSOR LANCERS 5

(Windsor wins OUA West quarter-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The Urban Cowboys had to score in the last minute to force OT in their game against Goof U, otherwise the 1st place team in the OUA West was on their way home. I suspect that Windsor and Lakehead were strong favourites in their series and both achieved solid sweeps.

UP NEXT:

Sun Feb 23 UBC at Saskatchewan (6:00)

Sun Feb 23 Mount Royal at Manitoba (3:00)

Sun Feb 23 Saint Mary's at UPEI

Sun Feb 23 Guelph at W. Ontario

Sun Feb 23 Brock at Ryerson

CIS LINKS: [Playoff Schedule/Results] : [Saturday Roundup]

Edited February 23, 2014 by Hollywood

Hollywood · February 24, 2014

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 0

MANITOBA BISONS 2

(Manitoba wins CWUAA quarter-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of M Game Story] : [U of M Boxscore]

:. [MRU Reposted Story] : [MRU Boxscore]

:. [CIS Sunday Roundup]

After two games in two nights, one with double overtime, the Sunday afternoon decider between the Herd and the Kittens was due to be a war of attrition. In the end the Bisons were faster, tougher, and better. But not by much. Frankly, a lot of CIS teams would have needed carrying off on stretchers from the Bisons' physical play. MRU is just as big and strong as the Bisons and this produced a playoff game of classic Canadiana.

Here's the line-up:

MANITOBA

Goal:

1 Caligiuri (34 Dubyk)

Defence:

2 Crowley - 22 Bestland

12 Sutherland - 24 Bobbee

6 Paulsen - 5 Christensen

Forwards:

29 Cain - 25 Ciarelli - 18 Kelly

21 Dickin - 10 Rowinski - 26 Gaudet

16 Paradis - 19 Duval - 20 Lewadniuk

8 Coates - 15 Scott - 17 Lauder

MOUNT ROYAL

Goal:

35 Flette (1 Lanigan)

Defence:

24 Marshall - 20 Tresierra

26 Beech - 21 Strong

4 Hrynyk - 6 McKay

Forwards:

22 Brown - 9 Gannon - 27 Cartier

18 Kirsch - 23 Fiddler - 16 Galbraith

12 Eskesen - 19 Huisman - 14 Burns

17 Barrett - 8 Turnbull - 25 Jewitt

The Bisons came out like they were shot of a cannon. They hit everybody in blue and were flying. They outshot MRU 16-5 and could easily have buried them. But the only goal was Luke Cain slamming home a deft pass from Darren Betsland into a yawning net. Throughout the period Dalyn Flette made numerous exceptional saves for MRU to keep it close.

The 2nd period started much like the 1st. The Bisons were going forward and MRU was backing up. Early on a couple of passes caught the MRU defence standing still and Ian Duval was sprung on a breakaway. Nobody catches up to Duval, and he made no mistake burying one for a 2-0 lead. Once the Bisons lengthened their lead they did retreat into a bit of a shell. There was also a steady parade to the penalty box. MRU did manage to close the gap on the shot clock bit the scoreboard continued to read 2-0.

Once the 3rd period hit the teams were showing signs of wear and tear. The Bison defence was able to get the puck out of their end with ease, and the forwards were always able to generate pressure. The prospects of a Cougar comeback were dimmed by a double minor for high sticking and a too many men on the ice bench minor. The Bisons outshot the Cougars 11-8 in the period, and there was no way 8 measly shots were going to produce two goals on Joe Caligiuri. In the closing minutes it was clear that MRU was gassed. And who could blame them?

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

UBC THUNDERBIRDS 6

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4

(UBC wins CWUAA quarter-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of S Game Story]

:. [UBC Game Story]

This was the shocker of the opening weekend of the playoffs. This is the type of series UBC always loses. And the type of series Sask always wins. Right? Well, not in 2014.

Sask jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and I thought UBC was going to get clobbered. But UBC scored 4 powerplay goals 5 minutes into the 2nd period, and held a 4-3 lead. The shots on goal were 61-36 in favour of Sask. How is that possible? This game just lets the odd numbers flow. Over the last 2 periods UBC scored 4 goals on 24 shots. In the same span Sask scored 1 goal on 45 shots.

Brad Hoban scored a hat-trick for the Birds and Derek Hulak scored twice for Sask.

In the semi-finals, UBC travels to Edmontown to face the Monkeys and Manitoba travels to Bedrock U.

OUT EAST

AUS Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 4

UPEI PANTHERS 1

(SMU wins AUS quarter-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary]

:. [CIS Boxscore]

The SMUskies have rallied to win it. UPEI seems to be stalled as a quarter-final opponent. The AUS is a tough place to break through. The SMUskies went on the road and grabbed a 3-0 1st period lead, and that was that.

In the AUS semi-finals, it will be New Brunswick v SMU and Acadia v Moncton.

OUA Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

GUELPH GRYPHONS 1

WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 6

(UWO wins AUS quarter-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

BROCK BADGERS 3

RYERSON RAMS 6

(Ryerson wins AUS quarter-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Goof U was so close to the big upset. I guess one had to think that after the reprieve, the Urban Cowboys would come up big.

And what's with the offence? 3 of 4 teams had 40+ shots in the OUA West on Sunday night. Or should I ask what is with the defence?

The OUA West semi-finals will be Western Ontario v Windsor and Lakehead v Ryerson. (Will Ryerson be allowed to drink in Thunder Bay?)

Hollywood · February 25, 2014

Looking back ... And looking ahead

Links:
:. [series previews: Winnipeg Sun] : [ChrisD Video] : [Calgary Sun]
:. [Game 1 stories: Winnipeg Sun] : [ChrisD]
:. [Game 2 stories: Winnipeg Sun] : [ChrisD]
:. [Game 3 stories: Winnipeg Sun] : [ChrisD]
:. [series stories: Winnipeg Free Press] : [The Manitoban]

I cam across a host of links to stories about the Bison-Cougar quarter-final series and have posted the links. Some good stories are there, and a tip of the hat to Kirk Penton at the Winnipeg Sun for the stories he posted. On one photo caption they misidentified Dane Crowley as "captain Darren Bestland", but what the heck.

Links:
:. [U of M Semi-Final Announcement]
:. [Winnipeg Sun: Calgary series preview]
:. [Vancouver Province: UBC Report]
:. [CanadaWest.tv]

There has been some news on the semi-final round, including an announcement from the U of M. The Vancouver Province story is worth a read. Coach Drago seems really excited about the big win over Sask, and who can blame him?

I'll have the full weekend preview later this week. But the schedules have been released, and all the CW semi-final games will be shown on CanadaWest.tv. Friday will be at 8:00 CST, Saturday and Sunday will be at 7:00 CST.

CIS Links:
:. [CIS Playoff Schedule/Results]
:. [Canada West Schedule/Results]
:. [OUA LeagueStat] : [AUS Playoffs]

Canada West:
Alberta v UBC
Calgary v Manitoba

OUA West:
W. Ontario v Windsor
Lakehead v Ryerson

OUA East:
Carleton v Queen's
UQTR v McGill

Atlantic:
New Brunswick v Saint Mary's
Acadia v Moncton

(AUS series are best-of-five, others are best-of-three)

SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE:

Feb. 26
Saint Mary's at New Brunswick
Moncton at Acadia
McGill at UQTR
Queen's at Carleton
Lakehead at Ryerson

Feb. 27
Saint Mary's at New Brunswick
Moncton at Acadia
Windsor at W. Ontario

Feb. 28
UBC at Alberta (7:00 PM MST)
Manitoba at Calgary (7:00 PM MST)
Ryerson at Lakehead
Carleton at Queen's

Mar. 1
UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST)
Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST)
New Brunswick at Saint Mary's
Acadia at Moncton
UQTR at McGill
W. Ontario at Windsor
Ryerson at Lakehead *

Mar. 2
UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST) *
Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST) *
New Brunswick at Saint Mary's *
Acadia at Moncton *
McGill at UQTR *
Queen's at Carleton *
Windsor at W. Ontario *

Mar. 4
Saint Mary's at New Brunswick *
Moncton at Acadia *

* if required

Hollywood · February 27, 2014

Feb 26: Semi-finals start in OUA and AUS

We are two days away from the Canada West semi-finals. ITM, they have started the round out east.

Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 2

NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 1

(in double overtime)

(SMU leads AUS semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 2

ACADIA AXEMEN 5

(Acadia leads AUS semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Since the AUS plays a best-of-five this round, an opening game loss does not create the same sense of urgency as in the other conferences. In the SMUskies' win over the Squirrels they dubbed it "double overtime", but in fact it was just 15 minutes. The Squirrels were foiled by a hot goaltender, Anthony Peters, who made 50 saves. The Cajuns' win was not so dramatic. I will be interested to see how the Blue Eggs handle this.

Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

QUEEN'S GOLDEN GAELS 2

CARLETON RAVENS 6

(Carleton leads OUA East semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

MCGILL REDMEN 4

UQTR PATRIOTES 3

(in overtime)

(McGill leads OUA East semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Cartoon U scored twice per period and easily handled the Queens. Remember when the Queens were the darlings of the Top Ten? They are in tough now. The Championship of Quebec series looks like a tough one, as usual. UQTR had a 2-goal lead after the 1st period.

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 7

RYERSON RAMS 0

(Lakehead leads OUA West semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Even though Lakehead crushed the Booze Hounds they surrendered 45 shots in the process. Goaltender Jeff Bosch stopped them all. It seems like an extraordinary number of teams are yielding enormous shots on goal in the OUA playoffs thus far. Right now the Thunder Mutts have had the best playoff performance in the OUA. This game was in Ryerson and games 2 and 3 will be in T-Bay due to travel distances.

UP NEXT:

Feb. 27

Saint Mary's at New Brunswick

Moncton at Acadia

Windsor at W. Ontario

Feb. 28

UBC at Alberta (7:00 PM MST)

Manitoba at Calgary (7:00 PM MST)

Ryerson at Lakehead

Carleton at Queen's

Hollywood · February 28, 2014

Weekend preview: Bisons at Bedrock

MANITOBA BISONS (14-12-5, 19-17-6, OHT36 #12)

CALGARY DINOS (21-4-3, 28-9-4, OHT36 #3)

Friday, February 28th, 7:00 MST/8:00 CST @ U of C

Saturday, March 1st, 6:00 MST/7:00 CST @ U of C

Sunday, March 2nd, 6:00 MST/7:00 CST @ U of C

Live Links:

:. Live Stats: [Friday] : [Saturday] : [Sunday]

:. [Live Video (all games)]

Manitoba Links:

:. [U of M Preview Story]

:. [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]

:. [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Calgary Links:

:. [U of C Preview Story]

:. [LS Stats] : [LS Schedule/Results]

:. [Twitter] : [Facebook]

Other Links:

:. [CW Weekend Preview]

:. [CIS Site] : [Playoff Schedule/Results/Links] : [Standings]

:. [CW Site] : [Schedule/Results/Links] : [Standings]

:. [CW Weekly Media Notes #18 (pdf)]

:. [CIS Top Ten Story]

:. [Every Link Re: CIS Hockey]

:. [Manitoba Hockey News Story]

:. [Winnipeg Hockey Talk Story]

:. [Shawn Coates Photography - Bisons v Cougars]

Prior games:

Oct. 25: Cal 4 Man 3 (ot): [U of M Story] : [LS Summary]

Oct. 26: Cal 5 Man 3: [U of M Story] : [LS Summary]

Jan. 17: Cal 5 Man 4: [U of M Story] : [LS Summary]

Jan. 18: Cal 4 Man 3 (ot): [U of M Story] : [LS Summary]

Before the last Bison trip to Bedrock I pointed out that these teams like overtime, and then they had one more overtime game. The Dinos won that game, and the overtime game they had in Winnipeg as well. Add in a one-goal win and an empty-netter win and the Dinos won all 4 games. Yet with a break or two, the Bisons could have swept the series.

After their come-from-behind overtime win over the Bisons in January, the Dinos were 19-0-1. That was amazing. The pundits had them ranked nowhere near a first place contender. Then their luck may have worn out. They finished the season on a 2-4-2 downward spiral. Included in that was a 10-2 loss in Saskatown against the now-eliminated Banjo-Mutts.

I noted back in October that the Dinos were prone to taking dives. That tends to catch up to a team. There is, however, no doubting their overall performance. They were 2nd in goals for and 3rd in goals against. The Bisons were 4th in both categories. They had 5 of the top 20 goal scorers, and the Bisons had 2.

Yet the Bisons are trending upwards. They got the split they needed against UBC to wrap up 4th place and a home playoff series. They then won a quarter-final against a physical MRU team. In both series Joe Caligiuri posted a shutout in the decisive game.

The key for the Bisons would be to get continued strong performances from their senior graduating players: Caligiuri, Dane Crowley, Ian Duval, Luke Cain, and Darren Bestland. They would like to add Jeremy Schappert to that group but he is injured and won't be returning. All three main lines have been effective and have that elusive chemistry.

As the picture shows, the Bisons do have some fans in Bedrock!

ELSEWHERE:

UBC THUNDERBIRDS (13-16-2, 17-18-2, OHT36 #20)

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (25-2-1, 38-4-1, OHT36 #1)

Links:

:. [Live Video (all games)]

:. [U of A Preview Story]

:. [UBC Preview Story]

The Tweety-Birds are riding high on their biggest series win since, well, The Beatles were around. I beleive that the last series between these teams was in 1990, where Alberta won 8-1 and 4-3. UBC is seeking their first championship since 1971, when they beat Manitoba 5-3 and 7-6 in the final.

Yes, there have been several decades of lean times in British California. Meanwhile, Saudi Alberta have 50 titles in 100 years of hockey.

This year, UBC was riding 7th place most of the season, and only snuck in ahead of Regina on the final weekend. Alberta racked up another convincing 1st place finish, rallying from a 3-point deficit to waltz past Calgary.

So does UBC stand a chance? Well, I believe that the Monkeys will thrash them at least once in the first two games, and the other game could be a tight one. The Monkeys lack the big gorillas to stand in front of the net and capitalize on territorial advantage. If UBC's defence, which stymied North Dakota and Princeton, can turn the trick just once on the Monkeys then they could force a 3rd game. And that 3rd game in three nights is a crap shoot. Don't forget, Sask fored 61 shots at UBC in game 3 of their series, yet lost.

Hollywood · February 28, 2014

Feb 27: meanwhile, out east ..

The AUS went with 2-games-in-2-days because out there school attendance is not such a big deal, and the OUA completed their opening games of this round.

Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 2
NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 5
(AUS semi-final tied 1-1)

Links:
:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 5
ACADIA AXEMEN 6
(Acadia leads AUS semi-final 2-0)

Links:
:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The Squirrels bounced back and picked up a thorough victory over the SMUskies. It was 3-0 after the 1st and 5-1 after the 2nd. In the 3rd it was all D as SMU outshot UNB 6-3. That is not the stuff of a comeback.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eggs blew a lead which may be their death knell. They were up 4-0 early in the 2nd, and in fact they were up 5-2 with 7 minutes left in the game. Hard to envision the Cajuns blowing this series now.

Both series take Friday off before playing a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader played at the home of the underdog.

Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

WINDSOR LANCERS 2
WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 3
(UWO leads OUA West semi-final 1-0)

Links:
:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

This was a tight game for two periods during which Windsor held a 2-1 lead. The Urban Cowboys outshot Windsor 20-7 in the 3rd period and picked up the two goals they needed for the win.

UP NEXT:

Feb. 28
UBC at Alberta (7:00 PM MST)
Manitoba at Calgary (7:00 PM MST)
Ryerson at Lakehead
Carleton at Queen's

Mar. 1
UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST)
Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST)
New Brunswick at Saint Mary's
Acadia at Moncton
UQTR at McGill
W. Ontario at Windsor
Ryerson at Lakehead *

Mar. 2
UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST) *
Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST) *
New Brunswick at Saint Mary's *
Acadia at Moncton *
McGill at UQTR *
Queen's at Carleton *
Windsor at W. Ontario *

Mar. 4
Saint Mary's at New Brunswick *
Moncton at Acadia *

* if required

Links:
:. [CIS Playoff Schedule/Results]
:. [Canada West Schedule/Results]
:. [OUA LeagueStat] : [AUS Playoffs]

Hollywood · March 1, 2014

Feb 28: Bisons lose in Bedrock

MANITOBA BISONS 1

CALGARY DINOSAURS 5

(Calgary leads CWUAA semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of C Game Story] : [U of C Boxscore]

:. [U of M Reposted Story]

The game was on CanadaWest.tv but the picture was so fuzzy it was hard to make out at times. Not like the nice picture you get from Saudi Alberta. Still, it was something and all games are being shown.

Bedrock U got off to a fast start. The 1st goal was controversial but the officials conferred and let it stand. Then Joe Caligiuri missed a non-screened shot from the blue line a few seconds later, and it was suddenly 2-0. Another committee confab allowed one more controversial to stand, and it was 3-0 at intermission.

The play turned around completely in the 2nd period. Luke Paulsen scored the only Bison goal of the frame, but there were numerous other high quality chances from all their lines, and especially the Paradis-Duval-Lewadniuk combo.

The Bisons came out in the 3rd period like they did in the 2nd. Ian Duval just missed a golden chance and Bedrock turned around and scored at the other end. That put a damper on the period as the Bisons basically just played out the string. In the end the Dinos outshot the Bisons 30-27. I am sure the Bisons would like to believe that Caligiuri's save percebtage will get back to normal and their scorers will be able to find the net.

Game two is Saturday at 6:00 Bedrock time and 7:00 in Manitoba.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

UBC THUNDERBIRDS 1

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 5

(Alberta leads CWUAA semi-final 1-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of A Game Story]

:. [UBC Game Story] : [UBC Boxscore]

This one had the look of a total mismatch for two periods. At that point the Evil Monkeys had a 4-0 lead and a 34-5 lead on the shot clock. Yes 34 shots for the Monkeys, and only 5 for the Tweety Birds. The 3rd was more even with UBC outshooting Alberta 13-11 and each team scoring once. Was that a case of Alberta holding back or UBC finding their form after some playoff jitters?

OUT EAST

OUA Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

CARLETON RAVENS 1

QUEEN'S GOLDEN GAELS 2

(OUA East semi-final tied 1-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Was anybody thinking Cartoon U would lose this series? Maybe the Queens deserve a little more attention. Big win for them.

RYERSON RAMS 1

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 5

(Lakehead wins OUA West semi-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The Thundermutts become the first side through to the next round with this win. They now await the winner of Windsor and the Urban Cowboys.

UP NEXT:

Mar. 1

UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST)

Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST)

New Brunswick at Saint Mary's

Acadia at Moncton

UQTR at McGill

W. Ontario at Windsor

Mar. 2

UBC at Alberta (6:00 PM MST) *

Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST) *

New Brunswick at Saint Mary's *

Acadia at Moncton *

McGill at UQTR *

Queen's at Carleton *

Windsor at W. Ontario *

Mar. 4

Saint Mary's at New Brunswick *

Moncton at Acadia *

* if required

[CIS Playoff Schedule/Results] NOTE: It is now 10 days since the CIS page released a daily round-up.

Hollywood · March 2, 2014

Mar 1: Bisons win in OT, Game 3 goes Sunday

MANITOBA BISONS 3

CALGARY DINOSAURS 2

(in overtime)

(CWUAA semi-final tied 1-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of C Game Story] : [U of C Boxscore]

:. [U of M Reposted Story] : [U of M Boxscore]

:. [U of M Friday Boxscore]

With their backs to the proverbial wall, the Bisons responded with a nail-biting overtime road win. Lee Christensen was back on the Bison blueline but the deleted player was forward Jon Gaudet. It looks like defenceman Kyle Rous was used as a 4th line forward in the game.

The Dinos opened scoring in a defensive 1st period when defenceman Davis Vandane scored the only goal from the 12 combined shots the two teams generated.

Luke Paulsen evened the game in the 2nd period with his 2nd goal of the series. He was out wioth the 4th line (Coates-Scott-Rous) at the time. It was 1-1 at the 2nd intermission.

The Dinos regained the lead when Cory Pritz scored the game's only powerplay goal. (The teams went a combined 1-for-15 on the PP.) Dylan Kelly tied the game on the 1st goal by a forward in the game, and the 1st goal by a Bison forward in the series. It was set up by a nice pass from Luke Cain.

Jordan DePape continued his hot streak with a goal in overtime. After two losses to the Dinos during the regular season in overtime, the Bisons were due for one.

Joe Caligiuri was again in the Bison goal, and Kris Lazaruk continued the Dino goaltender rotation.

Game 3 goes Sunday at 6:00 MST or 7:00 CST and will be streamed at CanadaWest.tv.

OUT OF TOWN SCOREBOARD

UBC THUNDERBIRDS 2

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 6

(Alberta wins CWUAA semi-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

:. [U of A Game Story]

:. [UBC Game Story] : [UBC Boxscore]

Once again UBC was overmatched by the Evil Monkeys. The scoreline is a bit deceptive because the Apes scored two empty net goals as UBC fought desperately to even the score.

Despite the loss, UBC must feel good that they rallied just to make the playoffs and finally won a playoff series. However, it is apparent that though may be able to play even-up against NCAA teams and lower end CW teams, they don't quite have that extra gear to win games without their goaltender making 50-60 saves. One step at a time. Hopefully the program will secure funding and sponsorship so they can attempt to take the next steps in the coming years.

OUT EAST

AUS Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 1

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 2

(in overtime)

(SMU leads AUS semi-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

ACADIA AXEMEN 1

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 4

(Acadia leads AUS semi-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The AUS is considered by most to be the toughest conference and the fact that the 3rd and 5th seeds could knock off the 1st and 2nd seeds should come as no great shock. The SMUskies were significantly outshot (43-30), yet they are now one home win away from the conference finals. And to see the Blue Eggs bounce back after their choke in game 2 was nice to see. Here's a nifty note: the SMUskies dressed two players short.

OUA Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

UQTR PATRIOTES 1

MCGILL REDMEN 4

(McGill wins OUA East semi-final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The McGilligutties have taken Quebec! They still await their opponent for the OUA East final, either Cartoon U or The Queens.

WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 1

WINDSOR LANCERS 3

(OUA West semi-final tied 1-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

Windsor put this away with an empty-netter after 77 combined shots produced only 3 goals. There must have been some great saves down in Detroit's civilized suburb. Sunday's winner will be facing Lakehead for the IUA West title.

UP NEXT:

Mar. 2

Manitoba at Calgary (6:00 PM MST)

New Brunswick at Saint Mary's

Acadia at Moncton

Queen's at Carleton

Windsor at W. Ontario

Mar. 4

Saint Mary's at New Brunswick *

Moncton at Acadia *

* if required

Hollywood · March 3, 2014

Mar 2: Pre-game stories

Some interesting stories popped up so I am sharing those links, as well as your on-line viewing and listening options for the evening:

Bisons v Dinos Links:

Game 1: [Examiner.com]

Game 2: [Calgary Sun]

These media links supplement the stories posted by the Dinos, and reposted at the U of M and CW as per prior links. In a nutshell:

In a tightly contested game that had ‘playoff hockey’ written all over it, the Bisons found a way to erase two one-goal deficits to force overtime. Davis Vandane and Cory Pritz put markers on the scoresheet for the Dinos but were countered by Luke Paulsen, Dylan Kelly and eventually DePape in the extra session.
“We didn’t play with the urgency we needed in order to win in the playoffs,” said Calgary head coach Mark Howell. “We have to play fast, but our guys sat back and didn’t keep at it. Manitoba deserves credit — they needed to win, and they did.”
At 13:05 of overtime, DePape ended the game on an innocent-looking wrist-shot from the left side that went over Dinos goaltender Kris Lazaruk and in. The goal was his second of the playoffs.
Manitoba outshot Calgary 29-27. Bisons goalie Joe Caligiuri made 25 saves in the win, while Lazaruk stopped 26 shots.

UBC Hockey Program Links:

By Cam Charron: [Yahoo.ca]

By Tony Gallagher: [The Vancouver Province]

One could suggest that there is a bit nore clarity in the standing of the UBC hockey team. Looks like they will need to do some fund-raising. Here are two quotes from the Yahoo story, followed by one from Tony Gallagher back in the fall. Makes you winder what is up out in British California.

The second big story is that men's ice hockey, which looked to be in danger and relegated to club status having not survived the preliminary cuts in January, was "saved" thanks to a new hybrid funding model which will include community partnerships. That team, along with men's baseball, women's rugby and men's field hockey, will potentially exist at the behest of local sponsors. The team survived probably thanks to the plea of Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa a month ago:

Here is the breakdown of sports into the four groups, per the university's release:
Teams to receive enhanced support (seven)
Basketball: men and women
Football: men
Swimming: men and women
Volleyball: men and women
Teams to receive current support with some limited enhancements (thirteen)
Cross country: men and women
Field hockey: women
Golf: men and women
Ice hockey: women
Rowing: men and women
Rugby: men
Soccer: men and women
Track and field: men and women
Teams, each in unique situations, given more time to pursue hybrid funding (four)
Baseball: men
Field hockey: men
Ice hockey: men
Rugby: women
Teams realigned to competitive club* (five)
Alpine skiing: men and women
Nordic skiing: men and women
Softball: women

That, of course, is because her ‘think-tank’ of experts composed of eight women, nine if you include Cowin herself, and two men, hasn’t yet officially come to the decision. But given its makeup, you can pretty much guess the outcome will favour club and recreational sports to the very great detriment of varsity teams.
Try to imagine, if you will, the howl from these academics if the makeup would be reversed with respect to the sexes. And just in case you might be holding out hope that the men might sway the obvious direction in which this is headed, they’ve already made sure that at least one of the men won’t be getting too uppity, given that Richard Price just happens to be the Senior Advisor to UBC president Stephen Toope.
He’s not likely to have a thought that is different from Toope, so this is tantamount to putting the president on the committee, and frankly, his sporting expertise escapes me for the moment. The other fellow, David Burleigh, is well qualified but his background at Queen’s was ‘Strategic Planning and Performance Improvement in Support of New Sport Model.’ Try to imagine his sympathy for 100 years of tradition and history. His expertise is in ‘change’ and we don’t mean two 10s for a 20.
Some of the women ‘experts’ have varying degrees of sports experience but their focus has almost exclusively been in recreational and club sports. Some already have the existence of their favoured varsity sport assured and skeptics believe, rightly or wrongly, they could easily be tempted to throw other teams under the bus to improve funding for their sport.
As one enraged alumnus who best remain nameless at this point recently remarked: “What expertise do these people bring? There are no coaches, no sports scientists unless you include Frisbee, no athletes, no alumni and no business leaders.”

On-line streaming links:

Manitoba v Calgary: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/canadawest.portal#

Both AUS games: http://www.austv.ca/

Windsor v W. Ontario audio: http://chrwradio.ca/stream

Windsor v W. Ontario video: http://www.ssncanada.ca/game/5819/

Hollywood · March 3, 2014

Mar 2: Bisons Downed in OT

MANITOBA BISONS 1

CALGARY DINOSAURS 2

(in overtime)

(Calgary wins CWUAA semi-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [CIS Boxscore (to follow)]

:. [U of C Game Story (to follow)] : [U of C Boxscore (to follow)]

:. [U of M Game Story (to follow)] : [U of M Boxscore (to follow)]

I was following this game on-line. I am leaving my computer shortly so the links are waiting to be added. For now, suffice it to say the Bisons lost a tough series that could have gone either way.

OUT EAST

AUS Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

NEW BRUNSWICK VARSITY REDS 0

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 1

(SMU wins AUS semi-final 3-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

ACADIA AXEMEN 3

MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS 2

(Acadia wins AUS semi-final 3-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

The AUS produced one huge upset with the SMUskies dispatching the Squirrels. Unlike some other games, where the shots were one-sided in favour of UNB, this appears to have been a tight battle throughout. The Cajuns shut down the Blue Eggs in their own arena, with only 21 shots on goal. All four teams are coming off 4 games in 5 nights. Tough to blend in any school work with that schedule.

OUA Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

QUEEN'S GOLDEN GAELS 0

CARLETON RAVENS 2

(Carleton wins OUA East semi-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

A credible performance by Her Majesty, I would say. They wobbled in the 2nd half of the season once they started playing better teams. But this series showed them to be a solid opponent, if not yet a contender. Now it is up to Cartoon U to see oif they can bring back that elusive OUA East title to the Province of Ontario.

WINDSOR LANCERS 3

WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 1

(Windsor leads OUA West semi-final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary] : [CIS Boxscore]

This will raise a lot of eyebrows across the CIS. However, there was only a 9 point gap between the teams so it is not what one would call a stunning upset.

UP NEXT:

Canada West final:

Alberta v Calgary

OUA West final:

Lakehead v Windsor

OUA East final:

Carleton v McGill

AUS final:

Acadia v Saint Mary's

Schedules are TBA.

[CIS Playoff Schedule/Results]

Hollywood · March 9, 2014

Mar 7-8: Monkeys win the West

Last weekend I posted the Calgary-Manitoba results before most of the links had been uploaded. Here are the full links.

Links:

:. [AUS Game 2 Summary (not uploaded)] : [CIS Game 2 Boxscore]

The Cajuns got off to a big jump in game 1, scoring a lot of goals on not many shots. Game 2 was back to normal for the SMUskies. It was 1-0 until late in the 3rd period when the Cajuns scored two empty net goals. The series shifts to Halifax for games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Monday. I suspect the Cajuns should be able to wrap this up by then. If not, game 5 goes Wednesday night.

MCGILL REDMEN 2

CARLETON RAVENS 5

CARLETON RAVENS 2

MCGILL REDMEN 3

(OUA East final tied 1-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary Game 1] : [LS Summary Game 2]

:. [CIS Boxscore Game 1] : [CIS Boxscore Game 2]

The OUA East final is a much anticipated event. For one thing, Carleton is seeking to be the first Ontario team to win the title in years. For another, these two teams and UQTR were on the recipice of breaking into the upper echelons of the OHT36 rankings all season. The rubber match goes Sunday night and the winner will be off to the nationals.

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 1

WINDSOR LANCERS 7

WINDSOR LANCERS 6

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 2

(Windsor wins OUA West final 2-0)

Links:

:. [LS Summary Game 1] : [LS Summary Game 2]

:. [CIS Boxscore Game 1] : [CIS Boxscore Game 2]

After the Thundermutts rolled past York and Ryerson it was hard to imagine them losing decisively in two straight games to a solid but unspectacular Windsor team. But that's what happened. The Mutts gave up 6 goals on 22 shots in game 2. Yikes. Windsor will now face the OUA East winner for the Queen's Cup, but are nevertheless assured of a berth in the University Cup. Lakehead could still get in as the OUA wild-card if they can win on the road against either Cartoon U or the McGilligutties.

[CIS Hockey Site]

Hollywood · March 16, 2014

Mar 9-10: Eastern finals wrap up

CONFERENCE/DIVISION FINALS

Links: [AUS Post-Season Schedule/Results]

ACADIA AXEMEN 6

SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES 3

(Acadia wins AUS final 3-1)

Links:

:. [AUS Game 3 Summary] : [CIS Game 3 Boxscore]

:. [AUS Game 4 Summary] : [CIS Game 4 Boxscore]

I was about to write-up the OUA conclusion when I noticed I had not concluded matters after the CW was done and dusted. So here we go, starting with the AUS.

The series shifted to SMU for games 3 and 4. In game 3 the SMUskies dressed just 19 bodies, a victim of the AUS roster limits. The game was very defence-oriented, with just 47 combined shots on goal. A late Cajun goal broke a shut-out.

In game 4 the SMUskies were short two more healthy bodies. The game was slightly more offensive (59 combined shots) but still very tight. An empty-netter put the game away for the Cajuns.

Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

MCGILL REDMEN 2

CARLETON RAVENS 1

(McGill wins OUA East final 2-1)

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

:. [CIS Boxscore]

This was a "too-close-to-call+ series all along and game 3 was, as expected, a tight one. The McGilligutties held a 2-1 lead after 2 periods and managed to kill the 3rd. Cartoon U thus misses a chance to move the OUA East title out of Quebec yet again.

McGill now faces Windsor for the Queen's Cup, with both sides headed to the nationals) and Cartoon U will face Lakehead for the OUA's wild-card spot at the nationals.

[CIS Playoff Schedule/Results]

[CIS Hockey Site]

Hollywood · March 16, 2014

Mar 15: Windsor wins Cup, Carleton gets wild-card

Links: [LeagueStat Daily]

MCGILL REDMEN 2

WINDSOR LANCERS 3

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

:. [CIS Boxscore]

The OUA East and West winners play a one-game final for the Queen's Cup. When a Quebec team qualifies, the Ontario team is automatically the home team. So this game was in Windsor.

The Lancers had a 3-0 lead after 55 minutes before the McGilligutties rallied to make it close. McGill outshot Windsor 52-38. Giving up 52 shots is not a formula for success in the nationals.

The win means Windsor is a seeded team for the nationals.

LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 4

CARLETON RAVENS 7

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

:. [CIS Boxscore]

This was the OUA's bronze medal game. When the OUA gets a 3rd spot at the nationals, their losing division finalists have a one-game bronze playoff like this. IMO, this wild-card playoff should also include Bedrock U and the SMUskies, the losing finalists from the CW and AUS. Or, better yet, making the nationals an 8 team event (like basketball and volleyball) and allow the host, 3 OUA, 2 CW, and 2 AUS teams to qualify each year.

Lakehead must be happy that they rebounded as much as they did this year, albeit in a situation where they fell one win short of a trip to Saskatown. Cartoon U dominated the game, meaning that after starting so hot the Thundermutts lost 3 straight.

Probable pools for the University Cup:

Daytime pool: Alberta, McGill, Carleton

Evening pool: Acadia, Windsor, Saskatchewan

Each pool will play a round-robin from Thursday to Saturday with the pool winners facing each other Sunday for the title.

Hollywood · March 22, 2014

Mar 20: Monkeys, Lancers win openers

[CIS-SIC.tv: Watch On-line]

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 3

CARLETON RAVENS 2

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

I saw a good chunk of this one on-line. Why do the Primates seem to have a close opening game at the nationals despite out-shooting their opponent by a mile? This time it was 41-17 and Cartoon U looked like a Regina-calibre team. But when it stays close, anything can happen.

The McGilligutties will play Cartoon U on Friday, then meet the Monkeys on Saturday at 3:00 pm CDT on SportsNet 360.

ACADIA AXEMEN 2

WINDSOR LANCERS 4

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

I saw the 1st period and was expecting to see a convincing Cajun victory when I looked up the final score. But, lo-and-behold, Windsor turned things aroiund dramatically. Acadia must have run out of gas. Acadia outshot Windsor 10-4 in the 1st period, and Windsor turned the bales to outshoot Acadia 10-4 in the 3rd.

The Saskabush Banjo-Mutts will now face the Cajuns on Friday night, and Windsor Saturday night on SportsNet 360. After losing to UBC about a month ago, will they be rested or rusted? I believe they have a shot to win thus pool.

Edited March 22, 2014 by Hollywood

Hollywood · March 23, 2014

Mar 21: Cartoon U and Cajuns sent packing

[CIS-SIC.tv: Watch On-line]

[SportsNet U - Stories on Every Game]

CARLETON RAVENS 2

MCGILL REDMEN 3

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

I could not watch this one but judging by the stats and reports it was as close as one would expect between these two rivals. The McGilligutties now meet the Monkeys on Saturday at 3:00 pm CDT on SportsNet 360.

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3

ACADIA AXEMEN 2

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

I called it. I suspected that despite a layoff the Mangy Ones would win their game against the game 1 loser. Tough exit for Acadia. The last time they qualified they also went 0-2 at the nationals. So Saturday night on SportsNet 360 at 8:00 CDT we will see the Mutts v Windsor.

Hollywood · March 23, 2014

Mar 22: Welcome to the West!

[CIS-SIC.tv: Watch On-line]

[SportsNet U - Stories on Every Game]

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 3

MCGILL REDMEN 2

(in overtime)

Links:

:. [LS Summary]

I saw most of the 1st period and the end of the 3rd and overtime. Here's the story: Monkeys get puck into McGill zone, come close but miss, McGill either ices puck or in a fit of offence skate to centre and dump it in for a line change. Repeat. The final shot count was 55-20. Yet the McGilligutties were one shot away from the final. If one of those 3 shots in the 3rd period had gone through .... To me, McGill was just Regina with a hot goalie. They have some good players but they did not really challenge the Apes. The were not trying to win. They were trying to get the Monkeys to lose.

WINDSOR LANCERS 0

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 9

Links:

:. [LS Summary]