Ice Chips: Saskatchewan, Alberta ready to clash in Edmonton
Canada West Communications
To get you set for another weekend of Canada West men's hockey action, here are some storylines from around the conference in the latest edition of Ice Chips.
Top Ten clash in store for third-place Bears
Connor Hood, Bears and Pandas Athletics
EDMONTON - In arguably their biggest series of the season, the 15-7-2 University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team will play host to the CIS No.1 University of Saskatchewan Huskies at Clare Drake Arena.
The two juggernauts will kick the series off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, with the rematch slated for 6:00 p.m. the following evening.
Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Calgary Dinos, the Bears find themselves third in the conference with 32 points, one point behind the MRU Cougars for second and a first-round playoff ‘bye’.
As for Saskatchewan (21-3-0), the Huskies have already locked up first place in the conference with 42 points, with just four conference games remaining.
Cougars to square off against UBC at home
Regina Athletics
REGINA - The University of Regina men's hockey team is back at home this weekend, playing host to the sixth-place UBC Thunderbirds.
The Cougars (5-19-0) were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention last weekend, with a pair of losses at Mount Royal University. Regina fell 5-3 on Friday night before dropping a 7-3 decision on Saturday afternoon. Christian Magnus scored twice for Regina on Friday and Miguel Pereira notched his seventh of the season. Sanfred King, Trent Lofthouse and Magnus found the net in Saturday's loss. John Sonntag (pictured) and Ian McNulty each had an assist in both games.
Mitch Kilgore played both games in net for Regina, stopping 35 shots on Friday and 33 in the rematch. Kilgore has made 14 appearances in net this season and has posted a .861 save percentage and made 390 saves. Dawson MacAuley leads the Cougars in save percentage (.899) and goals-against average (3.92) but his return to the lineup this weekend is questionable after missing the MRU games with a lower-body injury. Andy Desautels has also seen some action in net for the Cougars, appearing in five games. The rookie has a .865 save percentage but is also questionable this weekend due to an injury.
'Horns have playoffs in sight, need two huge wins against MRU
A.J. Mike Smith
LETHBRIDGE - The Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team will host the MRU Cougars on Friday, and make the trip up to Calgary on Saturday to complete a weekend home-and-home series. The weekend is a big one for the 'Horns, who's playoff aspirations rely on their remaining four games.
They made it a little easier for themselves last weekend, taking both games in Vancouver against the UBC Thunderbirds. They won the first game 4-1, and took the second in an overtime nail-biter, 4-3. Coming back with four points was big, as it drew the 'Horns within one point of the final playoff spot.
A tougher task this weekend, as they will take on the Canada West second place MRU Cougars, who are riding high after laying a beating on the Regina Cougars last weekend, by scores of 5-3 and 7-3.
The game on Friday in Lethbridge will go at 7:00pm. The game back in Calgary on Saturday will start at 6:00pm. Both can be caught on www.canadawest.tv.
Men's hockey weekend schedule:
| Fri. 5 | Calgary | Manitoba | 7:00 PM CST | |||
| UBC | Regina | 7:00 PM CST | ||||
| Saskatchewan | Alberta | 7:00 PM MST | ||||
| Mount Royal | Lethbridge | 7:00 PM MST | ||||
| Sat. 6 | Calgary | Manitoba | 1:00 PM CST | |||
| UBC | Regina | 7:00 PM CST | ||||
| Lethbridge | Mount Royal | 6:00 PM MST | ||||
| Saskatchewan | Alberta | 6:00 PM MST |
Catch all the action on Canadawest.tv