Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, only one school has clinched a No. 1 seed: Western in the OUA West. In the other three leagues, the intensity will be high as it could come down to the final day to determine where everyone sits heading into the playoffs.
Starting in the Canada West Conference, Calgary and Alberta are squaring off in a home-and-home series. Both teams earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs, but with a pair of wins, the Dinos would retake top spot in the Canada West Conference.
In the AUS, Acadia starts off the weekend by hosting Moncton. With a win, the Axemen will host UNB on the final day of the regular season to determine the top seed. Like the Canada West conference, both teams have already secured a first-round bye.
The OUA East is a bit more complicated. Three points separate Carleton, McGill and UQTR, and each can find their way into first place by the end of the weekend. A win for Carleton on Saturday and they will secure the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
CIS Men’s Hockey coverage: Scores & schedule | Standings
A little bit of shuffling in the middle of the rankings this week. Here’s how I see it heading into the final weekend of the regular season:
1. Alberta (23-2-1) | Last week: 1
No one in the CIS has scored more and allowed fewer goals than the Golden Bears. With a top line of Sean Ringrose, Torrie Dyck and Johnny Lazo, Alberta is looking like a very well-oiled machine heading into the playoffs, beating opponents 34-3 in the past four games.
2. UNB (22-3-1) | Last week: 2
After giving up the net to rookie Joel Vienneau for five straight games, fifth-year transfer Charles Lavigne was back between the pipes last Saturday against Moncton. Lavigne took advantage by recording a shutout. I would think it would be his job to lose from here on out.
3. Carleton (21-5-1) | Last week: 6
The Ravens were up to the challenge last Friday, defeating UQTR 5-3, thus remaining undefeated in 2014. Carleton lost a large portion of their core group from last season, but the taste of falling one goal short of a University Cup appearance last season should still resonate with the returnees.
4. Acadia (20-3-3) | Last week: 5
You win some, you lose some; that’s how it’s been for the Axemen as of late. Right now they have worked their way back into the No. 4 spot of these rankings thanks in part to a three-game winning streak. I’ve said it before and will say it again: they need their top guys to produce but their depth will decide how far they go this year.
5. Calgary (21-2-3) | Last week: 4
The CIS version of the Battle of Alberta will take centre stage this weekend. It’s a great chance for the Dinos to get back on track. Still up for grabs is the starting goalie job. Both Kris Lazaruk and Jacob Deserres were chased from the crease during their string of losses. My prediction is each guy will get a game against the Golden Bears this weekend, and the better performance will get the first game in the playoffs.
6. UQTR (20-6-0) | Last week: 3
Last week I was hoping to see some adversity in Trois-Rivieres. Well, Patriotes supporters are not happy with my ill wishes. UQTR had its 13-game winning streak snapped with back-to-back losses. They still have a shot at top spot in the OUA East division, though. If healthy, they are this division’s most dangerous team.
7. McGill (20-5-2) | Last week: 7
The Redmen continue to ride along in cruise control. They have points in their last nine consecutive games and find themselves in the hunt for top spot in their division.
8. Western (20-6-1) | Last week: 8
With three wins this week, paired with the recent poor play of Ryerson and Lakehead, the Mustangs have clinched top spot in the OUA West. Thursday’s victory gave them a 20-win season, a nice reward for their strong turnaround. Heading into December, Western held an 8-5 record.
9. Saskatchewan (15-10-1) | Last week: 10
The Huskies have clinched third spot in the Canada West conference. When you already know you’ll be playing in March in the national championships, your approach is different than everyone else’s. There’s a much bigger picture and it’s about continuous improvement. Despite a loss last Saturday, I like the direction the Huskies are headed.
10. Moncton (16-10-0) | Last week: 9
Moncton had a lackluster effort last Saturday in Fredericton when they fell to UNB 4-0. They have a dismal .500 road record this season, and with two road games this weekend, they could see UPEI take over the No. 3 spot in the AUS.