2018-19 Manitoba Bisons/USports Thread

[Hollywood]

Sept 14: HERD PICKS UP ROAD WIN

 

REGINA TOURNAMENT

 

 

MANITOBA BISONS 2
S.A.I.T. TROJANS 1

 

Links:
Manitoba: [S&R] : [Twitter]
SAIT: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

 

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4
REGINA COUGARS 0

 

Links:
Sask: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Regina: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

This was the opening night of the Regina Tournament. There isn't much news about these game out there. The SAIT Twitter had a blurb and all teams' S&R pages have a score without a link, at least as I post.

 

So both Bison wins so far have been 2-1 games, and they are now 2-3-0 in the pre-season. It would be nice if someone in Regina tweeted out a picture of the lineup cards.

 

On Saturday, it will be S.A.I.T. v Regina at 1:00 CDT and Manitoba v Saskatchewan at 4:30 CDT.

 

BRICK INVITATIONAL

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 6
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 4

 

Links:
Calgary: [S&R] : [Twitter]
MRU: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 1
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 0

 

Links:
Calgary: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Alberta: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

The first game was played Thursday in Cowtown and the second was Friday in Edmontown. The two wins give Bedrock U the tournament title, and a 4-0-0 record in pre-season. It's Yabba Dabba Doo time. The Evil Monkeys are now on a two game losing streak! MRU and Alberta will fight it out for second place on Saturday.

 

Here's the Dino tweet:

Quote

Regan Nagy with the lone goal at 15:00 of the 3rd, Papirny with the 38-save shutout tonight at the Brick tournament in Edmonton!

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

N.A.I.T. OOKS 2
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 3
(in double overtime)

 

Links:
UBC: [Boxscore] : [Twitter]
NAIT: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

The T-irds are now 2-1-0, with both victories coming in extra time. It could be that kind of year for them. Nice of them to post a boxscore. Other CW teams should take note.

 

OUT EAST

 

Sep 13 Brock 0 Waterloo 2 : [UW S&R]
Sep 13 Laurier 1 Western Ontario 3 : [WLU S&R]
Sep 14 Carleton 2 Toronto 3 (so) : [UT Recap]
Sep 14 Moncton 3 U.P.E.I. 1 : [PEI Boxscore]
Sep 14 McGill 4 New Brunswick 5 (ot) : [UNB Story] : [UNB Boxscore] : [McG Story] : [McG Boxscore]
Sep 14 Ottawa 3 Ryerson 4 (ot) : [RU S&R]
Sep 14 Saint Mary's 8 Dalhousie 1 : [DU Boxscore]

NEXT UP

Sep 15 Carleton at Ryerson
Sep 15 McGill at New Brunswick
Sep 15 Mount Royal at Alberta
Sep 15 N.A.I.T. (ACAC) at U.B.C.
Sep 15 Ottawa at Toronto
Sep 15 Queen's v R.M.C. (in Gananoque ON)
Sep 15 Manitoba v Saskatchewan (in Regina)
Sep 15 S.A.I.T. (ACAC) at Regina
Sep 15 U.Q.T.R. at Concordia
Sep 15 Western Ontario at U.O.I.T.
Sep 16 Moncton at Dalhousie

[Hollywood]

Sept 15: BISONS LOSE, SPLIT WEEKEND

REGINA TOURNAMENT



MANITOBA BISONS 1
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 4

Links:
Manitoba: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Sask: [S&R] : [Twitter*]
Ottawa Citizen: [Big-time departures]



S.A.I.T. TROJANS 3
REGINA COUGARS 7

Links:
SAIT: [S&R] : [Twitter*]
Regina: [S&R] : [Twitter*]

Time to bring back the asterisk for links that are missing as I post but may show up later when you read. There were no game stories nor boxscores/summaries posted for either game. Only the Manitoba Twitter had a tweet. In any event, I guess if medals were being awarded, the Mutts claimed gold, the Bisons settled for silver, and the Kittens got a bronze. The Condoms got nothing but experience.

Without any other teams posting even a tweet, here's a photo of everything I could obtain:


So returning Zach Franko and rookie Devon Skoleski paced the scoring for the Bisons this weekend. Rookies also did very well on the scoring in the UK tour as well.

Next weekend, the Bisons have just the one game, that being a Saturday matinee against Regina. The week will start with York's sad commemorative tour of Saskatchewan.

Oddly, the above-linked story from the Ottawa Citizen is their story on Sask's recruiting. I have no idea why such a story would be printed there.

BRICK INVITATIONAL



MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 7

Links:
MRU: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Alberta: [Linescore] : [Twitter]
Boxscore: [CW]

Good to see that the Apes uploaded boxscores to the CW site, joining UBC. The win gives the Evil Monkeys 2nd place in the 3-team tournament. Here's the last of a string of tweets from the evening:

With a depleted line up the boys get it done tonight. Final score 7-3. @bmagee18 with a heck of a night gets the star for the Bears and Watson for the Cougars. Off to Athabasca next weekend for games against @UofA_AugVikings & @NAITMensHockey

Alberta's site has yet to add their Athabasca exhibition games to their posted schedule. MRU acknowledges that they face the Dinos, and not Minnesota State, on Wednesday. However, their official schedule has yet to make the correction.

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD



N.A.I.T. OOKS 1
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 4

Links:
Boxscore: [UBC] : [CW]
UBC Game Story: [‘Birds down Ooks for third straight preseason win]
Twitter: [UBC] : [NAIT]

This win gave UBC a sweep of the weekend series, and gave the CW a record of 8-0-0 against ACAC teams this pre-season. UBC out-shot MRU 36-23. Patrick Dea got the win, and four different Birds scored goals.

OUT EAST

Sep 15 Carleton 3 Ryerson 5 : [RU S&R]
Sep 15 McGill 2 New Brunswick 3 (ot) : [UNB Game Story] : [UNB Boxscore] : [McGill Game Story] : [McGill Boxscore]
Sep 15 Ottawa 5 Toronto 3 : [UofT Game Story]
Sep 15 Queen's 6 R.M.C. 0 : [QU Game Story]
Sep 15 U.Q.T.R. 1 Concordia 4 : [CU S&R]
Sep 15 Western Ontario 2 U.O.I.T. 3 : [UOIT Game Story]

NEXT UP

Sep 16 Moncton at Dalhousie
Sep 18 Moncton at St. F.X.
Sep 19 Brock at Western Ontario
Sep 19 Laurier v Guelph (in Port Dover)
Sep 19 Mount Royal at Calgary
Sep 19 Saint Mary's v U.P.E.I. (in Truro)
Sep 20 York v Regina (in Lumsden)
Sep 21 Alberta v Augustana (ACAC) (in Athabasca)
Sep 21 Calgary v York (in Humboldt)
Sep 21 Guelph at Brock
Sep 21 Laurier at U.O.I.T.
Sep 21 Lethbridge at Lakehead
Sep 21 New Brunswick at Ryerson
Sep 21 St. F.X. at U.Q.T.R.
Sep 21 Simon Fraser (BCIHL) at U.B.C.
Sep 21 Toronto at R.M.C.
Sep 21 Waterloo at Western Ontario
Sep 21 Windsor at Carleton
Sep 21 York v Calgary (in Humboldt)

[Hollywood]

Preview: Sept 21-23: REGINA AT MANITOBA

 

 

REGINA COUGARS (2-1-0)
MANITOBA BISONS (2-4-0)

Sep 22 3:00 CDT at The Wayne Fleming Arena

Live Links:
► None.

 

Manitoba Links:
► GoBisons: [Weekend Preview (all sports)] ∞ [Roster Page]
► Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook] ∞ [Video Tweet 18-09-18]
► CW: [Stats*] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links*]
► LeagueStat: [Stats*] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links*]

 

Regina Links:
► Team: [Team Site] ∞ [Roster Page]
► Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]

 

Other Links:
► [USports] ∞ [US Schedule/Links*]
► [US Standings]
► [CW Site] ∞ [CW Schedule*]
► [CW Stats] ∞ [Media Access]
► [CUSN TMS September 11th, 2018]

 

* link not yet active for 2018-19

 

This was cut back from two games to one in order to allow the Banjo Cats to play York on their tour in memory of Mark Cross, their former player who went in to coaching only to perish in the Humboldt tragedy.

 

The Bison roster page has been updated. Several new rookies are listed, who were not included in the recruiting announcements. I'll need to do some profiles on them. In all, there are 12 new recruits. The odd thing is that the team is low on numbers. Although bursting with four goaltenders, they have just 21 skaters.

 

Here's the roster to date:

 

Goaltenders
1 Justin Paulic
30 Tyler Brown R
34 Dasan Sydora
35 Byron Spriggs

 

Defence
2 Adam Henry
3 Sean Christensen
11 Mitchell Dyck R
23 Mackenzie Dwyer R
24 Thomas Lenchyschyn R
25 Lucas Skrumeda
27 Carter Doerksen R

 

Forwards
4 Kamerin Nault
8 Liam Bilton
9 Zach Franko
10 Devon Skoleski R
12 Nick Zajac
14 Thomas Freeman R
15 Keaton Jameson R
16 Dawson Martin R
18 Garrett Armour R
21 Brett Brooks
22 Jeremey Leipsic R
26 Matthew Leblanc R
28 Brett Stovin
29 Jonah Wasylak

 

Those eligible to return but nevertheless departed include:

 

Defencemen
9 Douglas
11 Sharonov
16 Heinrich

 

Forwards
13 Laurencelle
15 S Bowles
18 St. Croix
19 Spencer
20 Keane
22 B Bowles
26 Lisoway

 

Though most of those were frequent scratches, St. Croix was the leading scorer and Laurencelle was oft-injured but was the CW rookie-of-the-year two years ago. My guess is that there are a couple of bodies yet to be added.

 

R indicates rookie

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

There were two mid-week games for CW teams this week, followed by a pretty full slate of games to come on the weekend.

 

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 4
CALGARY DINOSAURS 3
(in overtime)

 

Links:
Calgary: [S&R] : [Twitter]
MRU: [S&R] : [Twitter]

 

The Bluegars hit the win column to go 1-2-0 in their final pre-season game. The Dinos move on to face York and Sask on the weekend. They are now 4-0-1 in the pre-season.

 

YORK LIONS 2
REGINA COUGARS 3
(in overtime)

 

Links:
York: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Regina: [Game Story] : [Twitter]

 

This was the opener of York's memorial tour in honour of alumnus Mark Cross, one of the Humboldt victims. This game was played in his hometown, Lumsden, Sask. Regina is now 2-1-0 in pre-season. This was York's first game.

 

ELSEWHERE

 

YORK LIONS (0-1-0)
CALGARY DINOSAURS (4-0-1)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (2-0-0)

 

This was not planned (I don't think) but over three days a de facto round-robin tournament is being played. Here's the schedule:

 

Sep 21 Calgary v York (in Humboldt)
Sep 22 Calgary at Saskatchewan
Sep 23 York at Saskatchewan

 

SIMON FRASER CLAN (1-0-0)
TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS (0-0-1)
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (3-1-0)

 

These games finish the "Captains' Cup" pre-season series. SFU already beat TWU 4-3 in overtime last weekend. Holy Trinity is a CW member, but do not compete in the hockey league. The Clown are floundering in the States in a conference without a hockey league. Here's the weekend schedule:

 

Sep 21 Simon Fraser (BCIHL) at U.B.C.
Sep 22 Trinity Western (BCIHL) at U.B.C.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (2-0-0)
LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVFES (0-0-0)

 

The U-Cup hosts will enter the regular season with no games against a CW opponent. They started with a sweep of Red Deer College and now it's off to Thunder Bay for a traditional weekend series.

Sep 21 Lethbridge at Lakehead
Sep 22 Lethbridge at Lakehead

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (2-1-1)
UA AUGUSTANA VIKINGS (1-0-0)
N.A.I.T. OOKS (0-1-1)

 

The Evil Monkeys are taking part in the Athabasca Tournament. MacEwan is also taking part but not currently slated to play the Monkeys. Here's the schedule:

 

Sep 21 Augustana v Alberta
Sep 22 MacEwan v NAIT
Sep 23 Augustana v MacEwan
Sep 23 Alberta v N.A.I.T.

 

OUT EAST

 

Sep 16 Moncton 5 Dalhousie 3 : [Boxscore]
Sep 18 Moncton 2 St. F.X. 1 : [Boxscore]
Sep 19 Brock 1 Western Ontario 0 : [UWO S&R]
Sep 19 Laurier 3 Guelph 4 : [Game Story]
Sep 19 Saint Mary's 1 U.P.E.I. 3 : [UPEI S&R]

 

Sep 21 Guelph at Brock
Sep 21 Laurier at U.O.I.T.
Sep 21 New Brunswick at Ryerson
Sep 21 Queen's at Carleton *
Sep 21 St. F.X. at U.Q.T.R.
Sep 21 Toronto at R.M.C.
Sep 21 Waterloo at Western Ontario
Sep 21 Windsor at Carleton *
Sep 22 Concordia at U.Q.T.R.
Sep 22 Dalhousie at U.P.E.I.
Sep 22 New Brunswick at Ryerson
Sep 22 St. F.X. at Ottawa
Sep 22 Saint Mary's at Moncton
Sep 22 Toronto at Nipissing
Sep 22 Windsor at Carleton

[Hollywood]

Sept 22: BISONS WIN CONVINCINGLY

 

REGINA COUGARS 2
MANITOBA BISONS 5

 

Links:
Manitoba: [S&R] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]
Regina: [S&R] : [Twitter*]

It was nice to see my first live hockey of the season. Unfortunately, I never noticed the game time change from 3:00 to 2:00. So I missed two 1st period Bison goals. Since the Bisons wore jerseys with a black number on a brown background (the CW has a rule whereby the home team wears light/dark in alternating seasons now), and Regina had yellow numbers on a white background, it was hard to tell who was out there. Also, my pen ran out right away, forcing me to use my cell phone to make notes. This is the best I could figure.

 

MANITOBA BISONS

Goal
35 Spriggs (1 Paulic)

 

Defence
23 Dwyer 11 Dyck
25 Skrumeda 27 Doerksen
24 Lenchyschyn 3 Christensen

 

Forwards
9 Franko 28 Stovin 8 Bilton
18 Armour 16 Martin 14 Freeman
15 Jameson 21 Brooks 2 Henry
22 Leipsic 10 Skoleski 26 Leblanc

 

Scratches
4 Nault 12 Zajac 29 Wasylak
30 Brown 34 Sydora

 

REGINA COUGARS

Goal
30 Holtby 31 MacAuley

 

Defence
2 Hilsendager 5 Burns
22 Eisler 24 Hicks
27 Riddle 7 King

 

Forwards
12 Stevely 11 Odelein 29 Campbell
14 Coughlin 13 Frei (with various others)
8 Anderson 16 McPhee 17 Kosloski
20 Duperreault 10 Eskra 23 Miller

 

Scratches (one must have dressed)
4 Schacher 9 Chaulk 15 Lech
18 Adams 19 Marr 21 Kreklewich
25 Nagel 28 Peel 32 Zborosky
35 Herringer

 

Since I missed the first period, all I can say is the scorers from the 2nd and 3rd:

 

3-0 Garrett Armour - Top shelf over the glove on a one timer from Thomas Freeman.

4-0 Carter Doerksen - A tip-in on a cross-the-slot passing play.

5-0 Zach Franko - A replica of the 4-0 goal which went in as the prior goal was being announced.

5-1 Connor Odelin - A power-play goal broke the shut-out.

Penalty shot - Adam Henry was being used as a forward in this game and was hauled down on a break-away. Dawso9n MacAuley made the stop.

5-2 Tristan Frei - Another power-play goal when time was almost up.

 

The overall impression is that the Bisons have added a lot of quick, smaller forwards who made Regina run around. Let's see how they do as the competition will get better very quickly.

 

The defence was under almost no pressure. Spriggs had no more than two tough saves to make. Were they good, or does Regina lack offensive punch?

 

The Bisons are off to the Town of Bedrock next weekend, the to the Excited States after that. The next home action is October 12th and 13th against the Evil Monkeys.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

On Friday night, there were just four CW teams in action, one against the ACAC, one against the BCIHL, and two against OUA teams. The Saturday night games will be updated later.

 

UA-AUGUSTANA VIKINGS 0
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 10

 

Links:
ACAC: [S&R*]
Alberta: [Linescore*] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]
Recruiting news: [Miske and Pawlenchuk join Bears in quest for repeat]

 

This was part of the Athabasca Tournament, which also includes NAIT and MacEwan from the ACAC. Maybe one day Athabasca will have a team of their own. Not much is posted on this game, and that makes sense. The Monkeys aren't bragging, and their side-campus doesn't need to be shamed. The linked story is about their new WHL recruits. They only have two this year. That's all they need, due to a bumper crop of returnees.

 

SIMON FRASER CLAN 1
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 4

 

Links:
Boxscore: [UBC] : [LeagueStat]
Game Story: [UBC]
Twitter: [UBC] : [Tweet]

 

This one is part of the "Captains' Cup" series. SFU beat Holy Trinity in the opener of the 3-team round-robin. UBC does a good job on media postings for pre-season games, treating it just like a regular season game. Good for them!

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 8
YORK LIONS 1

 

Links:
Calgary: [S&R] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]
York: [Game Story]

 

York was crushed in this one, to go 0-2 on their romp through Banjoland. They have one game left to avoid a whitewash, against Sask.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 4
LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 5

Links:
Lethbridge: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Lakehead: [Game Story] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]

 

The Bisons haven't been to T-Bay in a while. At one time, it was a really tough road trip and the Wolves looked like they would be a powerhouse. Hasn't turned out that way, though. The Hǿrny Ǿnes rallied from down 5-2 to make it close. This was the OUA's first interlocking win of the season!

 

OUT EAST

 

Sep 21 Guelph 1 Brock 3 : [Game Story]
Sep 21 Laurier 2 U.O.I.T. 1 (ot) : [Game Story]
Sep 21 New Brunswick 3 Ryerson 0 : [Game Story]
Sep 21 St. F.X. 3 U.Q.T.R. 0 : [Game Story]
Sep 21 Toronto 3 R.M.C. 4 (ot) : [Game Story]
Sep 21 Waterloo 3 Western Ontario 4 : [UW S&R]
Sep 21 Windsor 1 Carleton 4 : [CU S&R]

 

NEXT UP

 

Sep 22 Calgary at Saskatchewan
Sep 22 Concordia at U.Q.T.R.
Sep 22 Dalhousie at U.P.E.I.
Sep 22 Lethbridge at Lakehead
Sep 22 New Brunswick at Ryerson
Sep 22 St. F.X. at Ottawa
Sep 22 Saint Mary's at Moncton
Sep 22 Trinity Western (BCIHL) at U.B.C.
Sep 22 Toronto at Nipissing
Sep 22 Windsor at Carleton
Sep 23 Alberta v N.A.I.T. (ACAC) (in Athabasca)
Sep 23 York at Saskatchewan

[Hollywood]

Sept 22: EVENING SCORES

 

With the Bisons playing a matinee, I did not have to wait for the other games to finish before posting. So here's what happened Saturday night.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

 

TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS 2
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 6

 

Links:
Boxscore: [UBC] : [LeagueStat]
Game Story: [UBC*]
Twitter: [UBC]

 

This concluded the "Captains' Cup" series, in which UBC went 2-0, the SFU Clown went 1-1, and Holy Trinity pulled up the rear at 0-2. The Spartans were off to a 2-0 lead 2:20 into the 2nd period, but the T-irds stormed back to tie the game before the 2nd period ended then won going away. Shots were 30-20 on the night. I guess one could say of this series that the results were respectable for the BCIHL but their teams are still a ways away from being CW calibre. In all, UBC went 5-1-0 in pre-season after starting with a loss.

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3

 

Links:
Calgary: [S&R] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]
Sask: [S&R] : [Twitter*]

 

All I know comes from the Dinos' Twitter. Sask scored two powerplay goals to tie and then win the game. Sask is now 3-0 in the pre-season, and finishes with  what should be the final game at The Rutherdump on Sunday against York. Meanwhile, the Dinos return to the Town of Bedrock where they open the season next weekend against the Bisons.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 5
LAKEHEAD THUNDERWOLVES 6
(In a shootout.)

 

Links:
Lethbridge: [S&R] : [Twitter]
Lakehead: [Game Story] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]

Lethbridge held a 5-3 lead in the 3rd period before blowing the lead and ultimately losing in overtime. The linked story from LU says this is their first pre-season sweep since 2010. Jeesh. In any event, two tight losses for the 'Horns leave them at 2-1-1 for the pre-season, albeit without having played a team from the CW.

 

OUT EAST

 

Sep 22 Concordia 7 U.Q.T.R. 10 : [CU S&R]
Sep 22 New Brunswick 3 Ryerson 4 : [RU S&R]
Sep 22 Dalhousie 2 U.P.E.I. 10 : [PEI Boxscore]
Sep 22 Saint Mary's 5 Moncton 4 : [SMU Boxscore]
Sep 22 St. F.X. 5 Ottawa 2 : [SFX Game Story]
Sep 22 Toronto 2 Nipissing 3 (so) : [UT S&R]
Sep 22 Windsor 1 Carleton 7 : [CU Tweet]

 

NEXT UP

Sep 23 Alberta v N.A.I.T. (ACAC) (in Athabasca)
Sep 23 York at Saskatchewan

[Hollywood]

Sept 23: MUTTS AND MONKEYS PICK UP WINS

 

Sunday night brought to an end the "pre-season" component of the exhibition season.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

 

YORK LIONS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5

 

Links:
York: [S&R*]
Sask: [S&R*] : [Tweet]

 

Sask never even posted a score on this one. It only got tweeted in response to a question! This game brought the curtain down on The Rutherdump. May it R.I.P.

 

So York goes 0-3-0, even losing to last-place Regina. One has to wonder about their prospects for the season. Sask ends the pre-season unblemished at 4-0-0.

 

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 9
N.A.I.T. OOKS 1

 

Links:
Alberta: [Linescore] : [Tweet]
ACAC: [S&R]

The Evil Monkeys had an early stumble in pre-season but certainly hit their stride as they demolished the ACAC foes in the Athabasca Tournament. They finish the pre-season at 4-1-1. Here are the complete tournament results:

 

Fri Sep 21 Augustana 0 Alberta 10   
Sat Sep 22 MacEwen  0 NAIT 2   
Sun Sep 23 Augustana 5 MacEwen 1   
Sun Sep 23 Alberta 9 NAIT 1

 

BCIHL/ACAC RESULTS

 

Fri Sep 7 MacEwen  2 Calgary 6
Fri Sep 7 Red Deer College  2 Lethbridge 4   
Sat Sep 8 Red Deer College  3 Lethbridge 5
Sat Sep 8 Calgary  9 MacEwen 0   
Tue Sep 11 MacEwan-NAIT All-Stars 1 Oilers Rookies 9
Wed Sep 12 Portage College  1 Augustana 7   
Fri Sep 14 SAIT  1 Manitoba 2
Fri Sep 14 Portage College 1 Concordia-Edmonton 6
Fri Sep 14 Briercrest 0 Minot State 4
Fri Sep 14 NAIT  2 UBC 3 (2OT)
Sat Sep 15 SAIT  3 Regina 7   
Sat Sep 15 NAIT  1 UBC 4   
Sat Sep 15 Briercrest 2 Minot State 7
Sat Sep 15 Concordia-Edmonton  3 Portage College 1
Fri Sep 21 Williston State 1 Briercrest 8
Fri Sep 21 Red Deer College  6    SAIT 2   
Sat Sep 22 Williston State 5 Briercrest 6 (OT)
Sat Sep 22 SAIT  4 Red Deer College 1   

Sat Sep 15 Simon Fraser 4 Trinity Western 3 (ot)
Sat Sep 15 Victoria 3 Vancouver Island 2
Fri Sep 21 Simon Fraser 1 UBC 4
Fri Sep 21 Selkirk College 2 Victoria 1
Sat Sep 22 Trinity Western 2 UBC 6
Sat Sep 22 Selkirk College 2 Vancouver Island 4

 

[ACAC]
[BCIHL]

 

NEXT UP

 

Sep 26 McGill at U.Q.T.R.
Sep 27 Windsor v Guelph (in Ridgetown)
Sep 27 U.O.I.T. at Laurier

 

REGULAR SEASON STARTS SEP 28-30!

[Hollywood]

Preview: Sept 28-29: MANITOBA at CALGARY


MANITOBA BISONS (0-0-0, 3-4-0, 2017-18: 16-10-2 OHT35 #10)
CALGARY DINOS (0-0-0, 5-1-1, 2017-18: 15-8-5* OHT35 #9)
* indicates actual record, 8 points were forfeited

Sept 28 7:00 MDT/8:00 CDT at Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary
Sept 29 2:00 MDT/3:00 CDT at Father David Bauer Arena, Calgary

Live Links:
• Video: [CanadaWest.tv] (all games)
• Friday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]
• Saturday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]

Manitoba Links:
• GoBisons: [Bison Men's Hockey Preview: Success by committee will be key for the Herd in 2018-19]
• GoBisons: [Bisons ranked sixth in Canada West preseason coaches' poll]
• GoBisons: [WEEKEND PREVIEW: Homecoming, men’s hockey opens season, soccer, and more]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CW: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

Calgary Links:
• Team: [Dinos break the ice on new season]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CW: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

Other Links:
• USports: [Schedule/Links] ∞ [Standings]
• CW: [Home Page] ∞ [Schedule]
• CW: [Bears, Huskies expected to battle yet again]
• CW: [2018-19 season preview]
• CW: [CW Stats] ∞ [Media Access]
• CUSN: [Hockey]

The regular season kicks off in the CW and the AUS this week, whilst the OUA gets in one more week of non-conference/exhibition play.

Last year, Calgary had the 3rd best record in the CW, but use of an ineligible player early in the first half of the season cost them 8 points in the standings, and had them slump to 5th. The Bisons capitalized and claimed 3rd place.

The regular season was considered a disappointment in the Town of Bedrock last year. They had a much ballyhooed recruiting class, that never seemed to get on track. They are once again a highly touted team, but I say let's wait and see. In pre-season the clobbered MacEwan from the ACAC twice, split with MRU, and beat Alberta. That would suggest they are capable.

The Bisons are becoming somewhat less typical, recruiting more and more small, quick players all the time. IMO they need some size in their defence this year. They were often exploited there last year. I have seen just their lone home exhibition game, and they did handle Regina well. The Dinos, however, are a much different side. Losing four good players who were eligible to return (St. Croix, Laurencelle, Lisoway, and Heinrich) has hurt the Bisons.


ELSEWHERE IN THE CW


U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (0-0-0, 5-1-0, 2017-18: 14-12-2* OHT35 #15)
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (0-0-0, 2-1-1, 2017-18: 8-17-3* OHT35 #27)
* indicates actual record, UBC gained 4 points and UofL 2 points by forfeit

Links:
UBC: [‘Birds open season of potential in Lethbridge]
UofL: [New Era of Pronghorn hockey starts at home]

The T-irds rebounded with a strong end to last season, and therefore have optimism on their side. The Hŏrny Ōnes seem to be spinning their wheels despite hosting this year's U-Cup. UBC always seems to rise to a certain level and then stop.


REGINA COUGARS (0-0-0, 2-2-0, 2017-18: 4-22-2 OHT35 #33)
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (0-0-0, 1-2-0, 2017-18: 12-14-2 OHT35 #17)

Links:
UofR: [Cougars top York as Lions open Mark Cross Memorial Tour]
MRU: [2018/19 Men's Hockey Season Preview]

The Cat fight is on right away! The Bluegars host the series. Regina had just 4 exhibition games, and were 0-2-0 against CW teams. MRU had just 3 games, the lightest schedule in the CW. Regina was very much the doormat of the CW last year. They still appear to be the weak sister, but have been finding some solid recruits.


SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (0-0-0, 4-0-0, 2017-18: 20-7-1 OHT35 #5)
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (0-0-0, 4-1-1, 2017-18: 23-4-1 OHT35 #2)

Links:
UofS: [Huskies, Bears expected to battle yet again]
UofS: [PREVIEW: Huskies to face off with rival Golden Bears in season-opener]
UofA: [Golden Bears to raise 16th University Cup banner this Saturday]

This series goes Saturday and Sunday, instead of Friday-Saturday like the rest. These were two of the top four teams in Canada a year ago, and both are touted to be as good as they were a year ago. Personally, I believe that the Mutts lost a lot, not easily replaced with new recruits. Still, they had the best pre-season record of any USports team.

OUT EAST


ONTARIO (Exhibition)

Sep 26 McGill 3 U.Q.T.R. 7 : [Boxscore]
Sep 27 Windsor 2 Guelph 3 : [UofG S&R]
Sep 27 U.O.I.T. 4 Laurier 3 (ot) : [UOIT Story]
Sep 28 Concordia at Ryerson
Sep 28 Laurentian at Western Ontario
Sep 28 Nipissing at Lakehead
Sep 28 R.M.C. at McGill
Sep 28 U.O.I.T. at York
Sep 28 Waterloo v Queen's (in London)
Sep 29 Brampton Beast (ECHL) at Toronto
Sep 29 Guelph at Windsor
Sep 29 Laurentian v Waterloo (in London)
Sep 29 Nipissing at Lakehead
Sep 29 Queen's at Western Ontario
Sep 29 R.M.C. at Concordia
Sep 30 Laurier at Brampton Beast (ECHL)


ATLANTIC (Regular Season)

Sep 26 Moncton 5 U.P.E.I. 3
Sep 26 Acadia 1 Dalhousie 5
Sep 28 U.P.E.I. at New Brunswick
Sep 28 Dalhousie at Saint Mary's
Sep 28 St. F.X. at Acadia
Sep 29 Saint Mary's at St. F.X.
Sep 29 New Brunswick at Moncton

Links:
• [US Presto S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]

[Hollywood]

Sept 28: BISONS BEATEN IN BEDROCK

 

MANITOBA BISONS 2
CALGARY DINOSAURS 5

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [Report]
CW Hockey Tech: [Summary] : [Report] : [Text]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW] : [Coach's View] : [UofM]
Stories: [UofC] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UM]
Calgary Sun: [Dinos report: Men's hockey team breaks the ice on new season]
The Manitoban: [Bisons draw talent from junior league]
WHL: [2018-19 Canada West Men’s Hockey season preview]
Humboldt: [EPA To Host Mark Cross Memorial Hockey Game]

 

The Bisons gave up early goals in the 1st and 2nd periods, but by the end of the 2nd period had found their form to tie the game at 2-2. One goal came from a veteran (Brett Stovin) and one from a rookie (Devon Skoleski). The stage was set for a good 3rd period, however the Dinos took control with three unanswered goals. Jordan Papirny got the win (with 14 saves) and Byron Spriggs took the loss (with 34 saves). The rematch goes Saturday at 2:00 MDT, 3:00 CDT.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES -
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS -

Links:
Star-Phoenix: [U of S Huskies open Canada West season against the 'big, bad Bears']
CBC: [U of Sask. adopts new policy for transgender athletes]
Edmonton Journal: [U of A Golden Bears hockey team begin defence of national title]

The series does not start until Saturday night, but I found some links about these two. Each has a season preview from a local paper. And we have a disturbing story from the CBC. I fear you'll see men with lipstick in women's sports. If they've had the operation, that's one thing. If not, that's another.

 

REGINA COUGARS 2
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 7

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [MRU] : [rp @CW] : [UofR]

 

I wonder how many Cougar fights there were on Friday night? Most were likely more closely contested than this one. The Banjo Cats had kudos for their recruiting class, however that may have been just glorified catnip. Colton Kroeker had two goals for the Bluegars and Tyler KIng had two for the Green Cougars. The rematch is Saturday at 3:00 MDT, or 4:00 CDT.

 

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 6
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 4

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofL] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UBC]
Lethbridge Herald: [Horns ready to drop the puck]

Before we shed tears for the Horny Ones, They outshot the T-irds 40-33, including 19-7 in the 3rd period. UBC was led by Michael Stenerson and Carter Popoff, with two goals each. Ryna Toth stopped 36 shots for the win, and Garret Hughson took the loss. The rematch is Saturday at 1:00 MDT, 2:00 CDT.

 

OUT EAST

 

Atlantic (regular season)
Sep 28 U.P.E.I. 3 New Brunswick 4
Sep 28 Dalhousie 1 Saint Mary's 6
Sep 28 St. F.X. 1 Acadia 2 (ot)

 

Ontario (exhibition games)
Sep 28 Concordia 2 Ryerson 4 : [RU S&R]
Sep 28 Laurentian 2 Western Ontario 4 : [LU S&R]
Sep 28 Nipissing 2 Lakehead 5 : [LU Story]
Sep 28 R.M.C. 0 McGill 7 : [McG Boxscore]
Sep 28 U.O.I.T. 1 York 2 : [UOIT Story]
Sep 28 Waterloo 1 Queen's 2 : [QU Boxscore]

 

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]
• [AUS MEN'S HOCKEY PREVIEW: Welsh at home with Huskies]

 

* indicates link not active as I post

 

NEXT UP

 

Sep 29 U.B.C. at Lethbridge
Sep 29 Manitoba at Calgary
Sep 29 Regina at Mount Royal
Sep 29 Saskatchewan at Alberta
Sep 29 Saint Mary's at St. F.X.
Sep 29 New Brunswick at Moncton
Sep 29 Brampton Beast (ECHL) at Toronto
Sep 29 Guelph at Windsor
Sep 29 Laurentian v Waterloo (in London)
Sep 29 Nipissing at Lakehead
Sep 29 Queen's at Western Ontario
Sep 29 R.M.C. at Concordia
Sep 30 Saskatchewan at Alberta
Sep 30 Laurier at Brampton Beast (ECHL)

[Hollywood]

Sept 29: BISONS PICK UP A SPLIT

 

MANITOBA BISONS 5
CALGARY DINOSAURS 3

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [Report]
CW Hockey Tech: [Summary] : [Report] : [Text]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW] : [Coach's View] : [UofM]
Stories: [UofC] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UM]

 

Whenever a team makes a trip to the Town of Bedrock, a split is considered a decent weekend. So that aspect of the weekend should make Bison fans very happy.

 

However, was this a case of capitalizing on a shaky goaltender? Matthew Greenfield stopped just 11 of 15 shots before an empty-netter closed the scoring.

 

Oddly, this was the night of the players whose last name starts with "S". Skoleski, Skrumeda, and Stovin led the Bisons to a 3-0 lead by the 2nd period. Sydora started in place of Spriggs in goal, and stopped 32 of 35 to get the "W". Sheen (with two) and Shearer scored for the Dinos, and Stovin's empty-netter closed the scoring. The only non-S contribution was from Brooks, whose 3rd period goal gave the Bisons a 4-2 lead which lasted until the end of the game.

 

Stovin and Skoleski also scored on Friday night. I'd like to see them focus on Stovin's offensive side this year.

 

The Bison scratches were skaters Kamerin Nault, Jonah Wasylak, and Thomas Lenchyshyn, and goaltenders Justin Paulic and Tyler Brown (who's not expected to play much, if at all, this year). It looks like they lined up like this:

 

Defence:
25 Skrumeda 27 Doerksen
3 Christensen 2 Henry
23 Dwyer 11 Dyck

 

Forwards:
12 Zajak 15 Jameson 21 Brooks
9 Franko 28 Stovin 8 Bolton
26 Leblanc 10 Skoleski 22 Leipsic
18 Armour 16 Martin 14 Freeman

 

When PP and PK were out there a fair bit, the 4th line and Leblanc had very little ice time.

Next weekend the Bisons are off to the Excited States (North Dakota and Omaha to be precise), before opening at home against the Alberta Evil Monkeys on October 12th and 13th. The Dinos, meanwhile, will muse over their pending extinction whilst relaxing with a bye week.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

REGINA COUGARS 2
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
(In overtime).

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [MRU] : [rp @CW] : [UofR]

 

Indeed, it is hard to sweep a team. The Bluegars had it all their way on Friday night but this matinee was a lot tougher. Last season, the Banjo Cats seemed to throw in the towel once the losses were piling up. Let's see how they handle this season. They acquired some better players but are still at least a notch behind most CW teams. In this one, pair of PP goals kept Regina in it. Riley Morris stopped 19 of 21 to get the win, and Dawson MacAuley stopped 33 of 36 to suffer defeat. 3rd year defenceman Jesse Lees scored the OT winner, his 2nd point of the night.

 

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 3
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 2

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofL] : [rp @CW] : [UBC]

 

It is never easy to sweep on the road, even in Lethbridge. So the T-irds must be thrilled with the sweep. In an interesting stat, over the series the Hørny Ønes were 1-for-11 on the power play and UBC was 5-for-10. Both sides switched goaltenders, giving a rookie his debut. Patrick Dea stopped 29 of 31 for the win, and Taz Burman stopped 45 of 48 at the other end. All season long we will be contemplating what a massive upset it would be to see Lethbridge upset a conference champion when they host the U-Cup.

 

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofA*] : [rp @CW*] : [rp @UofS*]

 

It was funny that every other team in the CW had two games under their belts before these two teams even stepped on the ice for game 1. This was a special night for the Apes. As defending conference and national champions they had banners to raise. The were scratching their armpit with one hand whilst holding a banana in the other, taking an occasional break to swing from the other banners at the Clare Drake Arena.

 

The celebratory mood seemed to lift the Monkeys early on, as they mounted a 2-0 lead with goals in the opening minute of each of the 1st and 2nd periods. From there it was all downhill, as five different Mutts helped put the boots to the Primates. In net, 2nd year Taran Kozun answered the call with 30 saves on 32 shots for the win. Meanwhile, Brendan Burke took the loss with 27 saves on 32 shots.

Of note, the Monkeys dressed just 19 players due to a rash of injuries.

 

OUT EAST

 

Atlantic (regular season)
Sep 29 Saint Mary's 5 St. F.X. 4 (so)
Sep 29 New Brunswick 5 Moncton 4

 

Ontario (exhibition games)
Sep 29 Brampton Beast (ECHL) 3 Toronto 4 : [UofT Story]
Sep 29 Guelph 2 Windsor 5 : [UofW S&R]
Sep 29 Laurentian 2 Waterloo 4 : [UofW S&R]
Sep 29 Nipissing 1 Lakehead 6 : [LU Story]
Sep 29 Queen's 5 Western Ontario 3 : [UWO S&R]
Sep 29 R.M.C. 3 Concordia 6 : [LS]

 

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]

 

* indicates link not active as I post

 

NEXT UP

 

Sep 30 Saskatchewan at Alberta
Sep 30 Laurier at Brampton Beast (ECHL)
Oct 03 Toronto at York
Oct 03 Waterloo at Ryerson
Oct 03 Western Ontario at Windsor
Oct 04 Western Ontario at Waterloo
Oct 04 Concordia at R.M.C.
Oct 05 Saint Mary's at Dalhousie
Oct 05 St. F.X. at Moncton
Oct 05 Queen's at McGill
Oct 05 Laurier at Windsor
Oct 05 U.O.I.T. at Laurentian

 

Non-conference CW Games
Oct 06 Alberta at Denver (NCAA)
Oct 06 Lethbridge at Western Michigan (NCAA)
Oct 06 Manitoba at North Dakota (NCAA)
Oct 06 Mount Royal at Minnesota State (NCAA)
Oct 07 Alberta at Air Force (NCAA)
Oct 07 Lethbridge at Ferris State (NCAA)
Oct 07 Manitoba at Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA)
Oct 07 Mount Royal at St. Cloud State (NCAA)

[Hollywood]

Sunday Morning Links

 

The game stories from the late game between the Monkeys and Mutts are in.

 

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofA] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofS]

[Hollywood]

Sept 30: MONKEYS GET REVENGE ON MUTTS

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 1
ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 5

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofA] : [rp @CW] : [UofS]

 

The Monkeys were down to 16 skaters for this rematch. However, the head organ grinder must have offered plenty of bananas to the survivors to get them going for this one. The turning point IMO was during a 2nd period PP situation. The Mutts were down two and went on the PP, during which time the Evil Monkeys scored twice. Game Over. Zach Sawchenko got a turn in goal for the Apes, and faced just 15 shots in claiming the win. Taran Kozun started once again for the Mutts, stopping 30 of 35 shots. Taylor Cooper had 2 goals and an assist to lead the Monkey offence. So the Mutts had to be satisfied with a split, a quick drink from the toilet, and a bus ride back to Saskatown.

 

OUT EAST

 

Ontario (exhibition game)
Sep 30 Laurier 5 Brampton Beast (ECHL) 4 : [WLU S&R]

[Hollywood]

Preview: Oct 6-7: BISONS OFF TO THE EXCITED STATES

 

MANITOBA BISONS (1-1-0, 4-5-0, OHT35 TBA)
NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 19-13-10, NCAC #3)
NEBRASKA-OMAHA MAVERICKS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 17-17-2, NCAC #5)

Oct 6 7:00 CDT at Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, N.D.
Oct 7 5:00 CDT at Baxter Arena, Omaha, Neb.

Live Links:
• Saturday: [Video-$] ∞ [Audio] ∞ [Live Stats] ∞ [CHN-Radio] ∞ [USCHO]
• Sunday: [Video-$] ∞ [Audio] ∞ [CHN-Radio] ∞ [USCHO]

 

Manitoba Links:
• GoBisons: [Devon Skoleski and ... Athletes of the Week]
• GoBisons: [Bison Sports announce 123 student-athletes ...]
• GoBisons: [WEEKEND PREVIEW: Women’s hockey opener ...]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CW: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

 

North Dakota Links:
• Team: [Hockey season gets underway with exhibition opener]
• Team: [Game Notes (pdf)]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• Misc: [College Hockey News] ∞ [Grand Forks Herald]

 

Nebraska-Omaha Links:
• Team: [Mavericks Welcome Manitoba For Exhibition]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• Misc: [College Hockey News]

 

Other Links:
• USports: [Schedule/Links] ∞ [Standings]
• USports: [Calgary’s Howell to lead coaching staff ...] ∞ [rp @CW]
• USports: [TOP 10 TUESDAY: UNB opens at No.1 men’s hockey]
• CW: [Home Page] ∞ [Schedule]
 
This is a bye week in the CW. But the Bisons, Lethbridge, Mount Royal, and Alberta are headed south for games against various NCAA teams. All trips are Saturday/Sunday format.

 

For the Bisons, they are off to play two teams from the NCAC. It is a strong conference. Last year UND defeated UNO in the quarter-finals. Omaha is coached by Mike Gabinet, former coach of the NAIT Ooks. UND is ranked 11th in one poll, and 12th in another.

 

In this week's news, there are three stories linked from GoBisons.ca. First, rookie Devon Skoleski was the male UofM athlete-of-the week, based on scoring in both games last weekend. Second, the 123 Bison athletes to be recognozed as Academic All-Canadians beats the previous UofM record of 117. The total includes 8 hockey players off last year's squad. And third, we have a preview story which includes a blurb on the Bison Broads raising their national championship banner on Friday night.

 

Around USports, Dinos' coach Mark Howell will coach the All-Stars against the Team Canada Juniors in December. And UNB was ranked #1 in the first Top Ten. Oddly, York got votes after going 0-3-0 on their trip to Sask.

 

ELSEWHERE IN THE CW

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (0-2-0, 0-3-1, OHT35 TBA)
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 15-19-2)
FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 14-23-1)

Links:
UofL: [Team Site]
WMU: [Schedule/Results/Links]
FSU: [Schedule/Results/Links]
 
The Hørny Ønes seem to be a trainwreck in the making. At least they are playing two teams with sub-.500 records from a year ago.

 

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (2-0-0, 3-2-0, OHT35 TBA)
MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 29-10-1)
ST. CLOUD STATE HUSKIES (0-0-0, 2017-18: 25-9-6)

Links:
MRU: [Team Site]
MSU: [Schedule/Results/Links]
SCSU: [Schedule/Results/Links]
 
The Bluegars draw probably the best combined records of their opponents award this weekend. Why on Earth would a team from St. Cloud use a Montreal Canadiens' logo?

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (1-1-0, 3-2-1, OHT35 TBA)
DENVER PIONEERS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 23-10-8)
AIR FORCE FALCONS (0-0-0, 2017-18: 24-15-5)

Links:
UofA: [Team Site]
DU: [Schedule/Results/Links]
AF: [Schedule/Results/Links]
 
The Evil Monkeys usually don't do these tours. They probably wish they had a bye week right here so they could rest their injuries. They were down to 16 skaters last weekend.

 

OUT EAST

 

ONTARIO

 

Regular Season Games
Oct 03 Toronto 1 York 2
Oct 03 Waterloo 1 Ryerson 10
Oct 03 Western Ontario 2 Windsor 4
Oct 04 Western Ontario 4 Waterloo 3
Oct 04 Concordia 1 R.M.C. 2
Oct 05 Queen's at McGill
Oct 05 Laurier at Windsor
Oct 05 U.O.I.T. at Laurentian
Oct 06 U.Q.T.R. at McGill
Oct 06 Carleton at Concordia
Oct 06 U.O.I.T. at Nipissing

 

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 06 Brock at Penn State
Oct 06 Guelph at Clarkson
Oct 06 Lakehead at Bemidji State
Oct 06 Laurier at R.I.T.
Oct 06 Ottawa at St. Lawrence
Oct 06 R.M.C. at Massachusetts
Oct 06 Toronto at Canisius
Oct 06 York at Niagara
Oct 07 Brock at Robert Morris
Oct 07 Guelph at Colgate
Oct 07 Ryerson at Mercyhurst
Oct 07 Waterloo at Michigan
Oct 07 Windsor at Michigan State

 

ATLANTIC

 

Regular Season
Oct 05 Saint Mary's at Dalhousie
Oct 05 St. F.X. at Moncton

 

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 06 Acadia at Boston University
Oct 06 New Brunswick at Boston College
Oct 06 U.P.E.I. at Quinnipiac
Oct 07 Acadia at UMass-Lowell
Oct 07 U.P.E.I. at Rensselaer
Oct 08 U.P.E.I. at Maine

Links:
• [US Presto S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]

[Icechipper]

So, I usually attend the annual Bisons-University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (now Hawks) exhibition game. UND is only allowed under NCAA rules to have four coached practice hours prior to this tuneup. So, is this Bisons team more prepared than most years as a result of the Euro tour? Or can we expect the usual 4-1, 5-2 or 3-0 UND win?  

[Hollywood]

2 hours ago, Icechipper said:

So, I usually attend the annual Bisons-University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (now Hawks) exhibition game. UND is only allowed under NCAA rules to have four coached practice hours prior to this tuneup. So, is this Bisons team more prepared than most years as a result of the Euro tour? Or can we expect the usual 4-1, 5-2 or 3-0 UND win?  

 

The Bisons also played in the UK last year and have twice gone to Germany/Italy as well. It is a self-funded tour and they had just 15 skaters and 2 goaltenders on tour this time.

 

On paper the team is weaker than in recent years, having lost 4 eligible to return players. (Two went pro and the others were all-star calibre.) Last weekend's 4th line was seldom used and were all rookies. The team has a lot of smaller players now, but they might do better with US-style officials than is typically the case. The still have hard-nosed guys who could fight, as was the case in the UK. If the Bisons give the rookies lots of ice time it could get ugly. Last weekend they were dominated Friday, but did well Saturday. I expect one decent game and one bad one this weekend.

[Hollywood]

Oct 5: NOTHING IN THE CW, LIGHT SCHEDULE OUT EAST

 

With no action for CW teams on Friday night, we go straight to the scores from the East. Moncton is now 2-1-0 in league, and 5-2-0 overall. St. F.X. is 0-1-2 in league and 2-2-2 overall. Hmmmmm ...

 

OUT EAST

 

ONTARIO

 

Regular Season Games
Oct 05 Queen's 2 McGill 1 (ot)
Oct 05 Laurier 4 Windsor 7
Oct 05 U.O.I.T. 5 Laurentian 2

 

ATLANTIC

 

Regular Season
Oct 05 Saint Mary's 4 Dalhousie 2
Oct 05 St. F.X. 2 Moncton 3

Links:
• [US Presto S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]

[Icechipper]

 Und 2 manitoba 2 in ot

[Icechipper]

University of North Dakota 3

University of Manitoba 2

Overtime final in Grand Forks

Attendence 11,200

[Hollywood]

Oct 6: BISONS LOSE IN OVERTIME

 

MANITOBA BISONS 2
NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS 3
(in overtime)

Links:
CHN: [Scoreboard] : [Boxscore]
UND: [Stats (pdf)] : [Game Story] : [Live Stats]
UofM: [Schedule/Results] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]

The Fighting Hawks, or Suddenly-Peaceful-Sioux, built a 2-0 lead, lost it in the 3rd period, then won it on a PP goal in overtime. That's the abridged version.

The UND  website is not what it used to be. At one time they provided links to legible boxscores or summaries, video highlights, and a game story or two. Now their team links for live stats were trash. In some ways, it was even worse than that pathetic rubbish put out by USports. The version of the live stats page was totally different if viewed on a desktop, tablet, or cell phone. There were no lineups on the desktop version, for example.

At the end of the day, I would recommend the College Hockey News (CHN) boxscore linked, and the UND game story. The Bison Twitter account also had updates, as shown in this picture:

The CHN site also displayed the usual line combinations, and the complete line-up:

 

Forwards:
21 Brooks - 15 Jameson - 12 Zajac
22 Leipsic - 28 Stovin - 8 Bilton
29 Wasylak - 10 Skoleski - 26 LeBlanc
18 Armour - 16 Martin - 14 Freeman

 

Defence:
3 Christensen - 2 Henry
25 Skrumeda - 24 Lenchyschyn
23 Dwyer - 11 Dyck
5 Paradoski

 

Goal:
35 Spriggs (1 Paulic did not play)

 

Scratches:
4 Bilton - 9 Franko - 27 Doerksen
30 Brown - 34 Sydora

 

Byron Spriggs stopped 52 of 55 shots, to be named 1st star. Uniquely, both Bison goals were scored by players of the hard-nosed variety, Thomas Lenchyschyn and Jonah Wasylak. This was Wasylak's first game back in over a year.

 

The extra defenceman dressed for the Bisons was Brandon Paradoski. He went to St. Paul's then played Junior B for the Selkirk Fishermen and then MMJHL for the Seven Oaks Raiders. I guess that since Sean Christensen has done so well, the team is somewhat less afraid to dip into the MMJHL for a depth player. I'll have to do full profiles of the new recruits brought in after the recruiting season had apparently ended.

 

This photo of the overtime winner also gives us a glimpse of the new Bison dark uniform.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

 
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 3
MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS 7

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
MRU: [Schedule/Results]

The Bluegars have two strong opponents this weekend. They were outshot by a 43-17 margin on the night.

 
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 1
WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS 4

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
UofL: [Schedule/Results]

The Hørny Ønes were outshot 47-11. Still fairly typical result one would expect for them.

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 4
DENVER PIONEERS 6

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
UofA: [Linescore]

The Monkeys had a 3-2 lead in the 2nd period but then fell apart. They outshot the Sandwiches 40-34 on the night. Once again, the Monkeys did not dress a full roster. Steve Owre scored twice to lead the Primate offence, and Zach Sawchenko picked up the loss in goal.

OUT EAST

Atlantic

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 06 Acadia 1 Boston University 7
Oct 06 New Brunswick 1 Boston College 8
Oct 06 U.P.E.I. 2 Quinnipiac 5

Ontario

Regular Season Games
Oct 06 U.Q.T.R. 1 McGill 4
Oct 06 Carleton 2 Concordia 4
Oct 06 U.O.I.T. 5 Nipissing 2

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 06 Brock 2 Penn State 3
Oct 06 Guelph 3 Clarkson 4
Oct 06 Lakehead 1 Bemidji State 5
Oct 06 Laurier 2 R.I.T. 5
Oct 06 Ottawa 3 St. Lawrence 1
Oct 06 R.M.C. 1 Massachusetts 6
Oct 06 Toronto 4 Canisius 0
Oct 06 York 5 Niagara 2

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]
• [CHN Scoreboard]

* indicates link not active as I post

[Icechipper]

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D.

Attended the annual Manitoba-North Dakota turneup Saturday night (third row corner, UND's attack zone periods 1 and 3) and gotta say it was entertaining, especially with a late Bisons rally.

Lots of fireworks for the introduction of the 2018-2019 version of the University of North Dakota hockey squad. Beautiful renditions of Oh Canada and The Star Spangled Banner. A handshake line and coaching smiles all around for both teams after a nail-biter of  a finish.

More than 11,000 were on hand for the 3-2 Overtime exhibition contest.

The Fighting Hawks dressed and played three goalies and skated 13 forwards and seven defensemen. UND came out fast, with freshmen players getting most of the playing time. The Hawks dominated, displaying a high-level of puck possession skill and passing proficiency for such an early-season tilt. Manitoba could skate with the Hawks but the gap in stickhandling was evident.

Manitoba goalie Byron Spriggs (a 5th year college player, is that right?) was the star of the game, continually kicking out and deflecting a barrage of point-blank shots. His final save tally was 52! Bisons defensemen, most of them big boys, did a nice job clearing rebounds from the crease but rarely had time to connect with their forwards on breakout passes.

UND's roster includes players born in the years 1995 to 2000 while the Bisons roster trended slightly older, including a number of transfers from Canadian junior programs and other Canadian colleges. The Bisons also tuned up in September with a couple of contests against professional opponents in Europe.

Hawks sophomore goalie Peter Thome of Minneapolis stopped several early Bisons chances, freshman Adam Scheel of Lakewood, Ohio, stopped one or two while clearing mostly ice shavings, and senior stopper Ryan Anderson of Roseau, Minn., made things interesting by surrendering the two late Manitoba goals then hanging on for the OT win, in the process becoming the winning goalie of record.

Scoring in regulation for UND were Dixon Bowen, a junior from East Grand Forks, Minn., and Grant Mismash, second-year USA Hockey Development Program product from Edina, Minn.

The most exciting freshmen on the ice were defensemen Johnny Tychonick, Calgary, who the Hawks found in Penticton of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), and Jacob Bernard-Docker, a Canmore, AB product they found in the (AJHL). Both are NHL Ottawa Senator draft picks. UND captain Rhett Gardner, who reportedly turned down an offer from the Dallas Stars to return for his senior year, spent more time in the penalty box than on the ice during this one yet managed to collect a rebound on a blast from 6-3 freshman Jasper Weatherby, a center from Ashland, Ore., who played for Wenatachee in the BCHL, for the overtime game winner.

 

 

 

[Hollywood]

MANITOBA BISONS 1
NEBRASKA-OMAHA MAVERICKS 6

Links:
CHN: [Scoreboard] : [Boxscore]
UNO: [Game Story] : [Twitter] : [Video Tweet]
UofM: [Schedule/Results] : [Twitter] : [Tweet]

 

The Bisons ventured further south for game two of the weekend and had a tough night in Omaha. Brett Brooks scored their only goal. Byron Spriggs did not suit up, leaving goaltending to be split between Justin Paulic (stopping 28 of 32 shots) and Dasan Sydora (stopping 22 of 24 shots).

 

Here's how they lined up:

 

Goaltenders:
1 Paulic - 34 Sydora

 

Defence:
2 Henry - 25 Skrumeda
5 Paradoski - 24 Lenchyschyn
23 Dwyer - 11 Dyck

 

Forwards:
21 Brooks - 15 Jameson - 12 Zajac
22 Leipsic - 28 Stovin - 8 Bilton
29 Wasylak - 10 Skoleski - 26 LeBlanc
18 Armour - 16 Martin - 14 Freeman

 

Scratches:
3 Christensen - 4 Nault
9 Franko - 27 Doerksen

30 Brown - 35 Spriggs

 

Hopefully those scratches will recover in time to face the Monkeys in next weekend's home opener, Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Paulic played two periods, Sydora played the 3rd.

 

There were also two additional Saturday night picture Tweets posted. Here they are, with a sample picture.

1. Photo Tweet
2. Photo Tweet

Captain Stovin  in action Saturday at UND.

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

 
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 2
ST. CLOUD STATE HUSKIES 6

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
MRU: [Schedule/Results]

 

The Bluegars seemed to have been dominated in this one, being outshot 40-17 on the night.

 

 
LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 2
FERRIS STATE BULLDOGS 5

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
UofL: [Schedule/Results]

 

The Hørny Ønes were off to a 2-0 lead before the Bullfrogs turned the game around with five unanswered goals. I guess that getting a 2-0 lead in the first place marks a step forward for the U-Cup hosts.

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
AIR FORCE FALCONS 2

Links:
CHN: [Boxscore]
UofA: [Linescore]
AFA: [Game Story]

 

No shootouts in the NCAA. After the OT was done, this one was called a draw. The Monkeys went with Kenny Cameron in goal. They were outshot 16-3 in the 1st period, but the game was still scoreless. In the 2nd period, the Monkeys scored two early goals and outshot Air Force 16-11. However, they could not hold the lead and left the USA kissing their sisters.

 

NEXT UP

 

Oct 12 Alberta at Manitoba
Oct 12 Calgary at Saskatchewan
Oct 12 Lethbridge at Regina
Oct 12 Mount Royal at U.B.C.

 

OUT EAST

 

Atlantic

 

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 07 Acadia 3 UMass-Lowell 4
Oct 07 U.P.E.I. 2 Rensselaer 3

 

Next Up
Oct 08 U.P.E.I. at Maine (NCAA)
Oct 10 Moncton at U.P.E.I.
Oct 10 Acadia at St. F.X.

 

Ontario

 

NCAA Non-Conference Games
Oct 07 Brock 2 Robert Morris 4
Oct 07 Guelph 2 Colgate 5
Oct 07 Ryerson at Mercyhurst
Oct 07 Waterloo 4 Michigan 7
Oct 07 Windsor 1 Michigan State 3

 

Next Up
Oct 10 R.M.C. at Queen's
Oct 11 Ottawa at Carleton
Oct 11 Ryerson at Guelph
Oct 11 Laurentian at Vermont (NCAA)

 

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [US/CIS Standings]
• [OUA S&R]
• [AUS S&R]
• [CHN Scoreboard]

* indicates link not active as I post

 

OTHER NEWS

Links:
Star-Phoenix: [Good-bye rusty Rutherford, hello Merlis Belsher Place (rp @ Leader-Post)]

 

The Rutherdump is disappearing and the whole CW, not just the UofS, is thrilled about that. Rust falling from the rafters ought to have been the final straw years ago. The big difference as far as hockey is concerned is that the ice surface will be full size, not the mini-ice the Huskies have been used to having. Will this prompt the recruitment of smaller players, and better skaters? I also see that it will have indoor plumbing, a rarity in Saskatown.

[Hollywood]

Preview: Oct 12-13: ALBERTA at MANITOBA

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (1-1-0, 5-3-2,  OHT35 #2)
MANITOBA BISONS (1-1-0, 4-6-1, OHT35 #12)

Oct 12 7:00 CDT at Wayne Fleming Arena, Winnipeg
Oct 13 7:00 CDT at Wayne Fleming Arena, Winnipeg

Live Links:
• Video: [CanadaWest.tv] (all games)
• Audio: [UMFM 101.5 2nd stream] (both nights)
• Friday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]
• Saturday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]

 

Manitoba Links:
• GoBisons: [Madison Wilford and Byron Spriggs are Boston Pizza Athletes of the Week]
• GoBisons: [WEEKEND PREVIEW: Men's hockey home opener, football in Calgary, and more]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CW: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

 

Alberta Links:
• Team: [Team Site]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CW: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

 

Other Links:
• USports: [Schedule/Links] ∞ [Standings]
• USports: [Top Ten Story]
• CW: [Home Page] ∞ [Schedule]
• TMS: [TMS Oct 9th]

This week in the CW features a quirk in the schedule in that all the teams who went 1-1 in the opening round face one another, the two 2-0 teams face one another, and the two winless teams also face one another.

In this matchup between the Bisons and Evil Monkeys, the teams (on the surface) have had similar runs the last two weeks. Both started the regular season with a split against a team with a pre-season victory over their opponent (Calgary split with Manitoba and beat Alberta in pre-season, and Sask did the same in reverse). Both were 0-1-1 in the USA last weekend (albeit the Monkeys had a tie, not an OTL).

 

One issue to observe is both sides' line-ups. Last weekend the Bisons were without Zach Franko and Kamerin Nault from their first line, and the Monkeys were without their whole top line. With so many new players, an dmost coming from Junior A, the Bisons lack depth in comparison to the Monkeys.

In disappointing news, Findlay's “Tuesday Morning Skate” and podcast are now at the Usports site, instead of CUSN. (Why couldn't it be at both?) Since the Usports site is trash, it might be hard to get it. We'll see.

 

ELSEWHERE IN THE CW

 

CALGARY DINOS (1-1-0, 6-2-1, OHT35 #7)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (1-1-0, 5-1-0, OHT35 #1)
 

Links:
UofC: [Team Site]
UofS: [PREVIEW: Huskies set for home openers in Merlis Belsher Place] : [Game Notes (pdf)
 
This will be an interesting match-up between two sides who took last weekend off. Both were impressive on the Friday night of the opening weekend before crashing to Earth on Saturday. Sask had the best pre-season in all of the CIS (USports). Is Calgary a true contender, as pundits speculate? Or are they better viewed in a group with Manitoba, UBC, and MRU?

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (0-2-0, 2-5-1, OHT35 #32)
REGINA COUGARS (0-1-1, 2-3-1, OHT35 #24)
 

Links:
UofL: [Pronghorns return to Canada West action in Regina]
UofR: [Three former Cougars to play professionally in ECHL this season]
UofR: [Johnson named to 2018 U SPORTS All-Star Series coaching staff]
UofR: [Cougars to host Lethbridge for home opener]
 
This is a golden opportunity to get a win! IMO, Regina has recruited fairly well the last two years and are not terrible. They're just not as good as the top 6 teams in the CW. Lethbridge had some off-season turmoil but it seems like they are not far off of last year's pace.

 

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (2-0-0, 3-4-0, OHT35 #14)
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (2-0-0, 7-1-0, OHT35 #10)
 

Links:
MRU: [Team Site]
UBC: [T-Birds host Cougars for 2018-19 home opener]
 
This is the battle for first place! However, unless the schedule changes to give these teams lots more games against Regina and Lethbridge, I don't see this holding. Realistically, these two are aiming to solidify a playoff berth and then shoot for home ice advantage in the quarter-finals.

 

OUT EAST

ONTARIO

Oct 10 R.M.C. 0 Queen's 4
Oct 11 Ottawa 3 Carleton 2 (so)
Oct 11 Ryerson 4 Guelph 3
Oct 11 Laurentian 4 Vermont 1 (NCAA)
Oct 12 Queen's at U.O.I.T.
Oct 12 Laurier at Waterloo
Oct 12 Western Ontario at Lakehead
Oct 12 U.Q.T.R. at McGill
Oct 12 Carleton at R.M.C.
Oct 12 Ryerson at Toronto
Oct 12 York at Brock
Oct 12 Nipissing at Lake Superior State (NCAA)
Oct 13 Toronto at Waterloo
Oct 13 Guelph at York
Oct 13 Windsor at Lakehead
Oct 13 Brock at Laurier
Oct 13 U.Q.T.R. at Concordia
Oct 13 R.M.C. at U.O.I.T.
Oct 13 Laurentian at Cornell (NCAA)
Oct 13 Nipissing at Lake Superior State (NCAA)
Oct 14 McGill at Ottawa

ATLANTIC

Oct 10 Moncton 5 U.P.E.I. 6
Oct 10 Acadia 2 St. F.X. 5
Oct 12 Dalhousie at Acadia
Oct 12 St. F.X. at Saint Mary's
Oct 12 Moncton at New Brunswick
Oct 13 New Brunswick at U.P.E.I.
Oct 13 Dalhousie at Saint Mary's

Links:
• [US Presto S&R]
• [OUA LS]
• [AUS S&R]
• [CHN Scoreboard]

[Hollywood]

Oct 12: COMEBACK VICTORY FOR THE BISONS

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 2
MANITOBA BISONS 3

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [Report]
CW Hockey Tech: [Summary] : [Report] : [Text]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW] : [Coach's View] : [UofM]
Stories: [UofM (with video)] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofA]
Series Preview: [UofM]

 

After the conference bye week and the end of non-conference play, the teams of the CW got down to some hotly contested games Friday night. Included was a dandy game at the Wayne Fleming Arena where a boisterous crowd, which included the Engineering Symonized Marching Band, cheered the Bisons on to a win over the Evil Monkeys. The Herd is now 2-1-0 and tied for 2nd place, whilst the Primates are 1-2-0 and tied for 5th.

 

Here's how they lined up:

 

MANITOBA

Goal:
35 Spriggs (34 Sydora)

 

Defence:
2 Henry 3 Christensen
25 Skrumeda 24 Lenchyschyn
11 Dyck 23 Dwyer

 

Forwards:
21 Brooks 15 Jameson 12 Zajak
9 Franko 28 Stovin 8 Bolton
4 Nault 10 Skoleski 26 Leblanc
29 Wasylak 16 Martin 14 Freeman

 

Scratches:
1 Paulic 5 Paradoski 18 Armour
22 Leipsic 27 Doerksen 30 Brown

 

ALBERTA

Goal:
35 Sawchenko (31 Cameron)

 

Defence:
6 Craig 4 Kirichenko
5 Fram 22 Carroll
7 Lange 8 Rehill

 

Forwards:
36 Cox 12 Philp 27 Miske
37 Nickles 14 Kieser 11 Cooper
17 Hart 23 Clarkson 24 Tomchuk
16 Pawlenchuk 13 Owre 26 Sanford

 

Scratches:
1 Burke 9 Legault 18 Baillie
19 Magee 21 Kimmett 40 Lineker
52 Charif

 

For the first time in a while, Alberta iced a full roster. Also, the Bisons got back a lot of injured players.

 

The Monkeys amassed a 2-0 lead in the 1st period with a pair of PP goals by Cole Sanford. The preponderance of penalties favoured Alberta. The Bisons turned it around in the 2nd period. Devon Skoleski (with his 3rd) scored on the PP and Brett Stovin (with his 4th) tied it up, as the Bisons outshot Alberta 12-10 in the period.

 

Midway through the 3rd period, Nick Zajac scored his 1st of the season and suddenly it looked like the Bisons could do it. The Monkeys threw a lot of bananas at Spriggs, but he was quite up to the task. The shots were 38-28 favouring Alberta. The three stars were Spriggs, Zajac, and Sanford.

 

 

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 4
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 5
(in a shoot-out)

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofS] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofC]

 

This was a tight battle to christen the new Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatown. So a shootout seems appropriate. I saw the ending on CanadaWest.tv after getting home from the Bison game. Lots of crazy penalties and aggressiveness. Saturday's rematch should be quite the tussle. Taran Kozun got the win (29 saves) and Jordan Papirny took the loss (46 saves). There were eight different goal-scorers.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 3
REGINA COUGARS 2

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofR] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofL]

 

The Banjocats scored with 93 seconds left to tie the game and there was much joy amongst the Feline Hillbillies. But the H0rny Ones Scored again with just 4 seconds left to claim the win. Lethbridge was only able to dress 16 skaters and two goaltenders. Garret Hughson made 31 saves to claim the win, and Dawson MacAuley had 28 saves in the loss. Lethbridge vaults out of the basement with the win, at 1-2-0, and Regina is 0-2-1.

 

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 1
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 3

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UBC] : [rp @CW] : [rp @MRU*]

 

This was the only 2-goal loss of the night in the CW, and the last goal was into an empty net. Rylan Toth got the win, with 35 stops on 36 shots. Colin Cooper suffered the loss, with 32 saves on 34 shots. Austin Vetterl had two goals for the T-irds, including the empty-netter.

 

OUT EAST

Atlantic
Oct 12 Dalhousie 3 Acadia 6
Oct 12 St. F.X. 2 Saint Mary's 3
Oct 12 Moncton 1 New Brunswick 5

 

Ontario
Oct 12 Queen's 3 U.O.I.T. 0
Oct 12 Laurier 2 Waterloo 3
Oct 12 Western Ontario 2 Lakehead 4
Oct 12 U.Q.T.R. 2 McGill 6
Oct 12 Carleton 4 R.M.C. 5 (so)
Oct 12 Ryerson 6 Toronto 2
Oct 12 York 3 Brock 5
Oct 12 Nipissing 1 Lake Superior State 3 (NCAA)

 

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [OUA LS]
• [AUS S&R]
• [CHN Scoreboard]

 

* indicates link not active as I post

 

NEXT UP

 

Oct 13 Lethbridge at Regina (3:00 CST/4:00 CDT)
Oct 13 Mount Royal at U.B.C. (2:00 PDT/4:00 CDT)
Oct 13 Alberta at Manitoba (7:00 CDT)
Oct 13 Calgary at Saskatchewan (7:00 CST/8:00 CDT)

Oct 13 New Brunswick at U.P.E.I.
Oct 13 Dalhousie at Saint Mary's

Oct 13 Toronto at Waterloo
Oct 13 Guelph at York
Oct 13 Windsor at Lakehead
Oct 13 Brock at Laurier
Oct 13 U.Q.T.R. at Concordia
Oct 13 R.M.C. at U.O.I.T.
Oct 13 Laurentian at Cornell (NCAA)
Oct 13 Nipissing at Lake Superior State (NCAA)

[Hollywood]

Oct 13: MONKEYS RALLY FOR A SPLIT

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 4
MANITOBA BISONS 1

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [Report]
CW Hockey Tech: [Summary] : [Report] : [Text]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW] : [Coach's View] : [UofM]
Stories: [UofM] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofA*]

 

The Monkeys got off to a quick start, leading 3-0 after the 1st. The Bisons attempted to rally but to no avail.

 

Here's how they lined up:

 

MANITOBA

Goal:
35 Spriggs 34 Sydora (3rd)

 

Defence:
2 Henry 27 Doerksen
3 Christensen 24 Lenchyschyn
11 Dyck 23 Dwyer
(Henry and Christensen often paired together)

 

Forwards:
21 Brooks 15 Jameson 12 Zajak
9 Franko 28 Stovin 8 Bolton
4 Nault 10 Skoleski 26 Leblanc
29 Wasylak 16 Martin 14 Freeman

 

Scratches:
1 Paulic 5 Paradoski 18 Armour
22 Leipsic 25 Skrumeda 30 Brown

 

ALBERTA

Goal:
35 Sawchenko (31 Cameron)

 

Defence:
4 Kirichenko 7 Lange
6 Craig 5 Fram
22 Carroll 8 Rehill

 

Forwards:
36 Cox 12 Philp 27 Miske
11 Cooper 14 Kieser 17 Hart
16 Pawlenchuk 13 Owre 26 Sanford
37 Nickles 23 Clarkson 24 Tomchuk

 

Scratches:
1 Burke 9 Legault 18 Baillie
19 Magee 21 Kimmett 40 Lineker
52 Charif

 

Mackenzie Dwyer scored for the Bisons. Zach Sawchenko got the win with his 19 saves. Byron Spriggs took the loss, with 27 saves on 31 shots over two periods. Dasan Sydora played the 3rd and stopped all 9 shots he faced.

Both sides are now 2-2-0 and in a 4-way tie for 3rd place. Next weekend the Bisons host Regina and the Monkeys visit the Bluegars.

 

 

 

OUT-OF-TOWN SCOREBOARD

 

CALGARY DINOSAURS 2
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 3

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofS] : [rp @CW*] : [rp @UofC]

 

Five different players scored once each to help Sask earn the sweep. Taran Kozun stopped 15 of 17 shots for the win. Bedrock U switched goaltenders with Matthew Greenfeld getting a turn. He stopped 27 of 30.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS 4
REGINA COUGARS 2

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UofR] : [rp @CW] : [rp @UofL]

 

A sweep for the H0rny Ones! Regina outshot them 43 to 21. But Garrett Hughson was on, and Michael Herringer was not, as goaltending made the difference. The last one was into an empty net, as six different players scored.

 

MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS 1
U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS 2

Links:
LeagueStat: [Summary] : [CWHT Summary]
Boxscores: [US/CIS] : [CW]
Stories: [UBC] : [rp @CW] : [rp @MRU]

UBC is now 4-0-0 after yet another sweep. They outshot the Bluegars 35-26. Austin Vetterl scored twice in the 3rd period as they rallied from a 1-0 deficit. (He was the only CW player with two goals on the night.)

 

OUT EAST

 

Atlantic
Oct 13 New Brunswick 6 U.P.E.I. 3
Oct 13 Dalhousie 3 Saint Mary's 8

 

Ontario
Oct 13 Toronto 4 Waterloo 3 (ot)
Oct 13 Guelph 3 York 4 (so)
Oct 13 Windsor 4 Lakehead 0
Oct 13 Brock 3 Laurier 2
Oct 13 U.Q.T.R. 3 Concordia 1
Oct 13 R.M.C. 2 U.O.I.T. 7
Oct 13 Laurentian 1 Cornell 6 (NCAA)
Oct 13 Nipissing 0 Lake Superior State 4 (NCAA)

 

Links:
• [US/CIS S&R]
• [OUA LS]
• [AUS S&R]
• [CHN Scoreboard]

 

* indicates link not active as I post

 

NEXT UP

 

Oct 19 U.B.C. at Calgary
Oct 19 Regina at Manitoba
Oct 19 Alberta at Mount Royal
Oct 19 Lethbridge at Saskatchewan

 

Oct 17 Moncton at Dalhousie

 

Oct 14 McGill at Ottawa
Oct 16 Laurentian at Nipissing
Oct 17 Brock at Guelph

[Hollywood]

Weekend Missing Links

 

 

Here are the *asterisk* links from the weekend:

MRU Friday: [Cougars suffer first loss of the season]

 

Alberta Saturday: [Quick start propels Bears to series split]

 

CW Cal-Sask Saturday: [Dominant third period powers Huskies past Dinos]

[Hollywood]

Preview: Oct 19-20: REGINA at MANITOBA

 

REGINA COUGARS (0-3-1, 2-5-1, OHT35 #32)
MANITOBA BISONS (2-2-0, 5-7-1, OHT35 #8)

Oct 19th 7:00 CDT at Wayne Fleming Arena, Winnipeg
Oct 20th 2:00 CDT at Wayne Fleming Arena, Winnipeg

Live Links:
• Video: [CanadaWest.tv] (all games)
• Audio: [UMFM] :  [UMFM 101.5 2nd stream] (both nights)
• Friday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]
• Saturday: [Live Stats] ∞ [Hockey Tech]

 

Manitoba Links:
• GoBisons: [Team Site*]
• Manitoban: [Bisons stun Golden Bears in home opener]
• Manitoban: [Manitoba settles for a weekend split with Alberta in men’s hockey]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CWHT: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

 

Regina Links:
• Team: [Team Site]
• Social: [Twitter] ∞ [Facebook]
• CWHT: [Stats]∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]
• LeagueStat: [Stats] ∞ [Schedule/Results/Links]

 

Other Links:
• USports: [Schedule/Links] ∞ [Standings]
• USports: [Top Ten Story]
• CW: [Home Page] ∞ [Schedule]
• TMS: [TMS] ∞ [Oct 16th: Episode 2 Podcast]

After an extensive pre-season, every team in the CW has now hosted and travelled for a weekend series. The Bisons had a marginally sub-standard exhibition record, but a split in the Town of Bedrock followed by a split against the Evil Monkeys is the envy of most teams in Usports. All told, the Herd is tied for 3rd place with three other teams.

 

Regina, meanwhile, are not a bad team but the best they could manage thus far is an OTL in games against MRU and Lethbridge (the teams who were 6th and 7th last year). Being swept at home by the Hørny Ønes is not part of the recipe for success.

 

In the recent past, the Bisons have had the Cougars' number. The Bisons beat the Banjocats 5-2 in a September exhibition game, made to look close when the 'Cats scored a late goal. In 2017-18, the Bisons were 4-0-0, with Regina getting one point for an OTL. Over the past 4 years, the Bisons are 14-1-1 (Regina is 2-13-1) in head-to-head games.

 

Regina's top four scorers include two veteran defencemen: Tyler King (2-2-4) and Landon Peel (1-2-3). The other two are rookie forwards, Arthur Miller (1-2-3 in 3 games) is hoping to write a story called “Death of a Playoff Drought”, and Connor Chaulk (1-2-3) has done well. Last year's rookie-of-the-year, Zak Zborosky, missed the opening weekend and has one assist in two games. Goaltenders Dawson MacAuley (4th year) and Michael Herringer (2nd year) have split the duties thus far. They have both had their moments. Herringer wound up 4-12-0, 5.11 GAA, .863 S% last year. This year he's 0-2-0, 5.01 GAA, .833 S%.

 

At this early stage, four points gets a guy tied for 7th in conference scoring, and the Bisons have four forwards in that group. Brett Stovin (4-0-4) used to get mostly assists, veterans Brett Brook and Nick Zajac are both 1-3-4, and newcomer Keaton Jameson is 0-4-0. Another newcomer, Devon Skoleski, is off to a 3-0-3 start. Defenceman Lucas Skrumeda was off to a great start and also had somepoints (1-2-3 in 3 games) before being injured on a hit from behind last Friday.

 

When all is said and done, Regina will steal some points from various teams this season. The Bisons will hope it starts next week.

 

ELSEWHERE IN THE CW

 

U.B.C. THUNDERBIRDS (4-0-0, 9-1-0, OHT35 #6)
CALGARY DINOS (1-2-1, 6-3-2, OHT35 #9)

Links:
UBC: [Team Site]
UofC: [Matinee action as Dinos host puck 'Birds]
 
UBC is off to a 4-0 start, but this is the weekend where things get real. The Dinos knocked off the T-irds in last year's playoffs. I suspect that Bedrock U is on their way to a top four finish. However, they need to win series like this one to get there. The Friday game starts at 11:00 a.m. MDT, as part of a school promotion.

 

LETHBRIDGE PRONGHORNS (2-2-0, 4-5-1, OHT35 #20)
SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (3-1-0, 7-1-0, OHT35 #1)

Links:
UofL: [Pronghorns hit the road to face #2 Huskies]
UofS: [Huskie Happenings: Oct. 16-21]
UofS: [PREVIEW: No. 2 Huskies look to stay hot against 'Horns]

The Banjomutts' position in this series is akin to the Bisons' position in the Regina series. Having played Alberta and Calgary, they are off to a 3-1-0 start. But points lost here could damage them down the road in the race for a top-two finish needed for a bye to the semi-finals.

 

ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS (2-2-0, 6-4-2,  OHT35 #4)
MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS (2-2-0, 3-6-0, OHT35 #14)

Links:
UofA: [Bears and Cougars tangle in provincial showdown this weekend]
MRU: [Team Site]
 
The Monkeys are vulnerable right now. In pre-season they split with UBC (albeit with an OTL) then split a 3-way round-robin against Calgary and MRU. In the regular season they split with Sask and Manitoba. The Bluegars, in turn, were swept by UBC and swept Regina. In this home-and-home series, it could be said that the Bluegars should feel the pressure to not just steal a point, but to get a split like everybody else.

 

OUT EAST

ONTARIO

Oct 16 Laurentian 4 Nipissing 7
Oct 17 Brock 4 Guelph 3 (so)
Oct 19 Waterloo at Carleton
Oct 19 Brock at R.M.C.
Oct 19 Lakehead at McGill
Oct 19 Windsor at U.Q.T.R.
Oct 19 Laurier at Ottawa
Oct 19 Ryerson at U.O.I.T.
Oct 19 Toronto at Nipissing
Oct 19 Guelph at Queen's
Oct 19 York at Concordia
Oct 19 Western Ontario at Laurentian
Oct 20 Windsor at U.Q.T.R.
Oct 20 Laurier at Carleton
Oct 20 Lakehead at McGill
Oct 20 Waterloo at Ottawa
Oct 20 Guelph at R.M.C.
Oct 20 Ryerson at Concordia
Oct 20 Western Ontario at Nipissing
Oct 20 York at U.O.I.T.
Oct 20 Brock at Queen's
Oct 20 Toronto at Laurentian

ATLANTIC

Oct 17 Moncton 4 Dalhousie 1
Oct 19 St. F.X. at Moncton
Oct 19 New Brunswick at Acadia
Oct 19 U.P.E.I. at Saint Mary's
Oct 20 U.P.E.I. at Acadia
Oct 20 New Brunswick at Saint Mary's
Oct 20 Dalhousie at St. F.X.

Links:
• [US Presto S&R]
• [OUA LS]
• [AUS S&R]