The No. 2 Alberta Golden Bears emphatically qualified for the University Cup CIS Mens Hockey championships in Thunder Bay as they defeated No. 8 Saskatchewan 7-0 night in Edmonton to sweep the Huskies 2-0 in their best-of-three Canada West conference championship series.
The Golden Bears took Game One of the series 5-2 Friday night in Edmonton; so their 12 goals in two games against a strong team like the Huskies shows that the defending CIS Champions have made a statement that they they will be strong contenders for the University Cup.
Alberta joins host Lakehead, No. 6 and OUA champions Western, No. 4 and AUS champions St. Marys, No. 1 UNB, and McGill as the final field of six teams that will compete for the University Cup beginning this Wednesday.
Alberta joins host Lakehead, No. 6 and OUA champions Western, No. 4 and AUS champions St. Marys, No. 1 UNB, and McGill as the final field of six teams that will compete for the University Cup beginning this Wednesday.
This is the 96th season of Alberta Hockey and they havent looked back since. The Golden Bears are the Rolls Royce of CIS mens hockey programs and have the most University Cup titles in CIS history with 13; as well as making the most finals appearances. Alberta has won three of the last four CIS banners and at least two national championships in each decade since the University Cup was first contested for in 1963. The Golden Bears have accumulated a record 47 Canada West championships and has won 13 of 17 appearances in the University Cup gold medal game.
Lakehead has an all-time record of 1 win, 3 losses, and 1 tie against Alberta; 1 win, 2 losses, and a tie in non-conference play, and 0-1 in the playoffs. The last time the two teams met was in the University Cup Championship Final in March of 2006 in Edmonton; a game that saw Alberta skate to a 3-2 championship win over Lakehead.
Canada West Hockey Final (Best of Three)
Game 1 - March 20: Saskatchewan 2 at Alberta 5
Game 2 - March 21: Saskatchewan 0 at Alberta 7
(Alberta wins best-of-three series 2-0.)
CIS Cavendish University Cup Mens Hockey Championships
Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hosted by Lakehead University; Thunder Bay, Ontario
Qualifiying Teams
Lakehead University Thunderwolves - Hosts
Saint Mary's University Huskies - Atlantic University Sport Champions
University of Western Ontario Mustangs - Ontario University Athletics Champions
University of Alberta Golden Bears - Canada West Hockey Champions
University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds - Atlantic University Sport Finalists
McGill University Redmen - Ontario University Athletics Finalists