Golden Bears Update Week 7

The U Sports (formerly the CIS) top 10 has shifted again in week 7. The Golden Bears find themselves ranked third (up from fifth) in the country right behind their conference rival the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. They actually tied the Huskies in terms if votes but, “Saskatchewan (over Alberta) was awarded the higher ranking based on number of higher placed votes,” according to the U Sports/CIS website. The pair is still looking up at the University of New Brunswick who maintained the top spot in the rankings. The Bears moved up based on a two game series sweep over the University of Manitoba Bisons last weekend at the Clare Drake.

With a significant influx of rookies into the Bears’ lineup this season looked to be a transitional one. That hasn’t been the case at all as the rookies have thrived so far. The all rookie line of Luke Philp, Trevor Cox, and Tyson Baillie combined for 3 goals and 5 points on Friday night to help lift Alberta to a 6-3 victory over Manitoba. I had the chance to chat with coach Serge Lajoie as Production 71 and The Oilers Rig were setting up at the Clare Drake for the video shoot for the next episode of, “The Odd Man Rush.” The episode will feature coach Lajoie and Alberta GM Stan Marple. The coach and I chatted about the rookies and specifically that line. The coach mentioned, “we were looking at it and, you know, that line scored over 200 points in the Western League (Western Hockey League) last year.” Philp, Cox, and Baillie combined for 82 goals and 201 points for the 2015-16 WHL season. What makes it even more impressive is that Luke Philp was limited to 39 games and Cox 56. Each player of the trio averaged over a point per game in the WHL last season (Philp 1.15/Baillie 1.36/Cox 1.09). All three have joined veterans Jamie Crooks and Jayden Hart in the top 10 for Canada West scoring.

The veterans decided on Saturday that it was their turn to put on an offensive show. The Canada West’s two leading scorers, Jamie Crooks and Jayden Hart, combined for 3 goals and 6 points and Alberta went home with a 5-2 victory and undefeated over the weekend. Goaltender Luke Siemens (6-0)remains undefeated after starting both games for Alberta versus Manitoba. The shots for the Friday game favored the Bears 36-22 and also on Saturday with a 31-29 edge.

Notes

• As already mentioned Alberta now had 5 of the top 10 scorers in the Canada West.
• The Bears potent offence has indirectly created an issue for coach Lajoie. During our conversation he mentioned, “the problem is they don’t get worried if they get down a goal. They just believe they can shoot their way out of it.” Having hot scorers throughout the team’s forward lines is a problem that most of the teams in Alberta’s conference wish they had. However, the Lajoie’s point is well made as fire-wagon hockey can come back to bite a team- especially in the playoffs.

• Jayden Hart, who is leading the Canada West in goals with 11, has now moved into a tie for the Canada West lead in short-handed goals after scoring 2 in Saturday’s game.

Up Next

Alberta travels south for a two game series against the University of Lethbridge. The Pronghorns currently sit fifth in the Canada West with a 5-4-3 record. Lethbridge is coming into the weekend with two straight wins. Both games can be viewed online at canadawest.tv.