Dinos score late to end Bears comeback
EDMONTON – Two goals in the final four minutes of the third period pushed the visiting University of Calgary Dinos past the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team 6-4, Friday night at Clare Drake Arena.
Drydn Dow, Cain Franson, Kevin King, Danny Gayle, Spencer Edwards and Dylan Walchuk scored for the Dinos, while Steven Stanford made 33 saves for his seventh win of the season. Jamie Crooks netted a pair, while Jordan Hickmott and Brett Ferguson also scored for Alberta in defeat.
In typical fashion, the 'Battle of Alberta' got off to a roaring start, with four first period goals, and massive hits exchanged between the teams. Calgary opened the scoring nine minutes into the first, as Walchuk caught Alberta keeper Luke Siemens on his knees after a wrap-around chance, and roofed his seventh of the season just under the crossbar.
Alberta responded just three minutes later, when Jamie Crooks potted his 50th career goal through Stanford's seven-hole, evening the game at one. Stanford would come up big after allowing the tying goal, however, highlighted by a tremendous save off Kruise Reddick on a two-on-one chance.
The save seemed to spark the Dinos, as they restored their lead just over a minute after the Crooks tally. Drydn Dow's point-shot found a way through a maze of bodies in front, and past Siemens, to restore the Calgary lead. Edwards also scored in the final five minutes for Calgary, extending the Dinos lead to two.
The game started to even out in the second period, with both teams exchanging chances. Calgary would add to their lead halfway through the frame, as King tipped the Franson point-shot over Siemen's shoulder, making it 4-1.
Hickmott, who was appearing in his 200th game, finally woke the Bears out of their period long hibernation, cutting the Dino lead in half 11 minutes into the second. In yet another tipped shot, Hickmott was able to redirect the Jordan Rowley point-shot over Stanford's shoulder. Ferguson was able to give the Bears some serious momentum heading into the third, scoring on a Dino penalty, making it 4-3 after two.
It took Crooks less than two minutes to score his second of the game to start the third period, in an absolutely wild game. Receiving a great saucer pass from Legault in the slot, Crooks was able to find a hole in Stanford, tying the game at four.
The Bears continued to press throughout the third period for the go-ahead goal, outshooting the Dinos 8-0 at one point. However, on Calgary's first shot of the final period, Franson caught Siemens out of position in his crease, and flipped the game-winner over the Alberta goalie with just four minutes left. Gayle sealed the Calgary win with an empty-net goal in the final minute.
The win was the third-straight for Calgary, who improve to 10-9-4 on the season. With the loss, the Bears fall to 15-6-2 on the year, and eight points behind Saskatchewan for tops in the conference with just five games remaining.
The rematch between these two squads will take place on Saturday, with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.
Connor Hood - Bears and Pandas Athletics