CIS Men's Hockey Top 10
OTTAWA (CIS) – The Saskatchewan Huskies rule the CIS men’s hockey national poll for the ninth consecutive week.
Saskatchewan, CIS finalist a year ago, improved to 14-3-3 in conference play over the past weekend with a two-game sweep of Calgary (6-4, 5-0). In Friday’s 6-4 win, the Huskies erased a 4-0 second-period deficit establishing the following Canada West records for short-handed goals: five short-handed markers in a single game, four in a period (in the third), and two in a span of 12 seconds by CIS scoring leader Dean Beuker, who now has 18-19-37 for the season.
The top-ranked Huskies, holding a 12-point lead atop the Canada West Great Plains Division standings, host the UBC Thunderbirds (7-10-1) this weekend. Games are Jan. 20 and 21 at 7:00pm.
The No. 2 McGill Redmen (12-0-2) remained the only undefeated team in the CIS in the regular season with a 3-1 win over Concordia on Friday. 2004-05 CIS rookie of the year, Mathieu Poitras was once again outstanding in net for the Redmen with 18 saves, and continues to lead the nation in conference play in goal-against average (1.39), save percentage (.944) and shutouts (4). McGill visits the No. 10 UQTR Patriotes (11-4-1) tonight (Tuesday).
The reigning CIS champion Alberta Golden Bears (13-3-2) once again round out the top three this week following a pair of victories over Manitoba (4-2, 12-5). Fifth-year senior Brad Tutschek tallied seven points in the weekend series for the Bears, which visit the Regina Cougars (8-8-2) for a pair later this week.
Behind the leading trio, the Western Ontario Mustangs (15-1-1) and UNB Varsity Reds (11-4-4) both move ahead of the Acadia Axemen (12-7-0), which drop to No. 6 following losses to the No. 7 Moncton Aigles Bleus and St. Thomas.
UQTR also takes a hit in the national poll this week falling to No. 10 following a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Ottawa, the Patriotes first shutout loss at home in their 36-year history (407 games).
RANK TEAM CONFERENCE (Overall) RECORD PTS (1st Place) LAST WEEK
1. SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES 14-3-3 (21-4-3) 79 (7) 1
2. McGILL REDMEN 12-0-2 (17-4-2) 69 (1) 2
3. ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS 13-3-2 (19-6-2) 68 3
4. WESTERN ONTARIO MUSTANGS 15-1-1 (20-6-1) 51 5
5. UNB VARSITY REDS 11-4-4 (15-8-4) 44 6
6. ACADIA AXEMEN-x 12-7-0 (14-9-1) 36 4
7. MONCTON AIGLES BLEUS-x 12-6-1 (16-9-1) 36 9
8. SAINT MARY’S HUSKIES 11-6-2 (16-8-2) 23 7
9. WATERLOO WARRIORS-y 10-3-3 (15-7-3) 16 10
10. UQTR PATRIOTES-y 11-4-1 (14-8-1) 16 8
x –Acadia was awarded the higher ranking based on number of higher placed votes.
y – Waterloo was awarded the higher ranking based on number of higher placed votes.
Other teams receiving votes:
Ottawa Gee-Gees (1), St. Thomas Tommies (1)
