After disappointing performances at the past two University Cups, UQTR is determined to return, only with a different outcome. Clearly the hottest team in the country right now, the Patriotes have only lost one game since Oct. 25th. Their speed and ferociousness make them a strong candidate to repeat as OUA Champion.
Also moving up and moving in this week’s rankings are UNB and Western, respectively. The V-Reds made a big statement last Friday when they defeated No. 5 Acadia. Meanwhile, the Mustangs’ recent play has moved them into a tie for first place in the OUA West and has them once again a contender in their division.
In other CIS Hockey news, the University of British Columbia Department of Athletics & Recreation announced the results of stage one of their sport review process. There are 13 teams of 29 that failed to make the cut — one of those teams, men’s hockey. The changes do not take effect until the beginning of the 2015 sesaon, which could see the only CIS men’s hockey team in BC eliminated. The second and final stage of the review will conclude up at the end of February.
But for now, the rankings:
CIS Men’s Hockey coverage: Scores & schedule | Standings
1. Calgary (19-0-1) | Last week: 1
Two more games, two more wins for the Dinos. However, I strongly believe the question is not, will they lose a game in regulation, but rather when will they lose a game in regulation? This past weekend they nearly gave up a five-goal lead to Manitoba. The following night Calgary squeaked out a win in double overtime.
2. Alberta (18-2-0) | Last week: 2
The Golden Bears debuted their first-ever European player last weekend, Joel Ostman. All reports are that the 6-3, 210-pound former Swedish pro is a two-way defenceman that moves very well with a strong hockey sense — everything you’d expect from a Swedish defenceman. Ostman joins an already deep Alberta blueline including CIS All-Canadian Jesse Craige. You can never have enough depth on defence.
3. UNB (16-3-1) | Last week: 4
“You go as your leaders go,” said head coach Gardiner MacDougall after last Friday’s 5-3 victory over Acadia. That’s a fair assessment when you look at the success UNB has had over the past decade and the stars they’ve had suit up for the program. Still missing last year’s University Cup MVP Tyler Carroll due to injury, the V-Reds are beginning to show signs of picking up steam.
4. UQTR (16-4-0) | Last week: 5
Somehow UQTR continues to win without much attention or fanfare. UQTR has now rattled off nine straight wins, beating opponents 88-18 in that span. The defending Queen’s Cup Champions are consistently at the top of the OUA East and, at this rate, I don’t see anyone matching up against them in the OUA.
5. Acadia (15-2-3) | Last week: 3
What a difference a week can make. Last week Acadia was poised to make a statement as the best team in the AUS, now they have lost two straight and now are joined by UNB at the top of the conference. If teams can shut down their potent top line of Liam Heelis, Mike Cazzola and Brett Thompson, Acadia may struggle. The trio has scored 41 percent of Acadia’s goals this season.
6. McGill (16-5-1) | Last week: 6
McGill did not disappoint Friday night, defeating rival Queen’s 2-1 in front of the rowdy Redmen supporters. For most of the season, McGill has won the games they are expected to win. Continuing with the trend, I can’t see why they wouldn’t run the table on the last six games.
7. Ryerson (15-7-0) | Last week: 7
Twice in the last three games, the Rams have given up a late third-period goal, resulting in a loss. That being said, last Friday’s three goals against vs. Lakehead were the most they’ve given up in the last seven games. The following night Ryerson showed why they are the biggest threat in the OUA West.
8. Carleton (14-5-1) | Last week: 8
Since the Christmas break, the Ravens have yet to be defeated, while averaging five goals per game in that stretch. They continue to receive contributions throughout the line-up, but none bigger than sophomore puckstopper Francis Dupuis. Dupuis has emerged as Carleton’s clear No. 1 and leads the entire CIS with a goals-against average of 1.43 and also holds the best save percentage with a .940.
9. Queen’s (14-3-5) | Last week: 9
Queen’s continued their stingy defensive play with back-to-back shutouts to position themselves in a tie for first in the OUA East with McGill. The Gaels are still sticking around in a very top-heavy Eastern division. Unless Kevin Baillie can play as well as he did in net Friday, Queen’s doesn’t exactly pose a playoff threat to any of the contending teams.
10. Western (15-6-0) | Last week: N/A
A recent surge by the Mustangs finds them tied for first in the OUA West. Their solid play has been led by fifth-year goaltender Josh Unice. Unice has had a very successful career. He is a former NHL Draft pick, Memorial Cup Champion, skated for Team USA in the World Junior Hockey Championships and in 2012 came within an overtime goal of winning a University Cup. Unice alone makes Western a threat in the OUA West division.