Hockey Dogs aren’t taking T-Birds lightly
By Darren Zary of The Star Phoenix
The University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team established at least three Canada West conference records in last Friday’s 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the University of Calgary Dinos, yet head coach Dave Adolph is downplaying their significance.
“We’ve moved on,” he said Thursday while preparing for a two-game series today and Saturday against the much improved University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
“Our guys didn’t even bring it up (during a team meeting). The Guys are really focused on playing each game forward. We’re focused on the purpose of this weekend and what we have to do. We haven’t seen two of their additions. Kyle Bruce and Peter Hay, who weren’t available to them when we played before Christmas.
“(The coaching staff is) wondering what Kyle Bruce will be like. We haven’t reflected (on the new records) at all.”
The T-Birds stole a point from the Huskies during a two game series in Vancouver.
“They’re a scrappy team,” Adolph said. “ UBC and Calgary had exceptional recruiting years and that this is a reflected in UBC’s record, which is their best (in years).”
Game Time is 7 p.m. at Rutherford Rink.
UBC is 7-10-1 in Canada West conference. The T-birds have been more successful on the road (4-4-0) than at home (3-6-1).
Saskatchewan’s five short-handed goals established a conference mark for most short-handed goals in a game and the four goals scored on the penalty kill in the third period set a record for the most short-handed goal in one period.
As well, Dean Beuker’s two short-handed goals in 12 seconds set a record for the fastest two short-handed goals. The previous record was 27 seconds, set by Steve O’Rourke of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. O’Rourke scored his two short-handed goals at 6:06 and 6:33 of the second period in the Pronghorns’ 9-3 win over the Brandon University Bobcats on Nov. 8, 1996.
Also, Beuker and linemate Brent Twordik tied the record for most pentalty-kill goals in a game (two) and Beuker for the most short-handed markers in a period (two). Prior to last Friday’s game, 16 players had scored two short-handed goals in a game and five players had scored two in a period.
As well, the hockey Dogs accomplished something likely never done before by scoring three short handed goals in just 35 seconds. The problem is, no such record exists for the fastest three short-handed goals in Canada West conference.
“No, I do not (keep that record), stated Canada West statistician Steve Knowles. “Although it most likely is a record, until I can verify it as such, it will not be an official record.”
Adolph admits that last Friday’s game was a rare occurrence.
“That’s one of two bizarre games I’ve seen in my coaching career, the other one being a game against the Alberta Golden Bears.”
On Nov. 28, 1998, the Bears were trailing the Dogs 6-2 with 3:59 left. The Huskies took a five-minute major and the Bears responded with four power-play goals in 3:59 to send the game into overtime. Alberta went on to win on a goal by Bob Niedzelski.
Breakaways: The Huskies remain the No. 1-ranked team in Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s hockey. McGill University is No.2, followed by the Alberta Golden Bears.
