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Telus University Cup Pool A Preview: Alberta Golden Bears

Sun Mar 19, 2006
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

The host Golden Bears are ranked No. 1 and the defending national champions look like the favourites to defend their title on home ice. Alberta has won the University Cup a record 11 times (tied with Toronto) and they have also won a record 45 Canada West conference championships. This will be their 10th consecutive appearance at the nationals as well. First year Head Coach Eric Thurston has not missed a beat since taking over from Rob Daum and led the Bears to a 21-5-2 (31-8-2 overall) Canada West record and a sixth consecutive conference title.

The Bears also look like the strong favourites in Pool A and will present a formidable challenge to the No. 4 McGill Redmen and the No. 6 Laurier Golden Hawks. The Bears were assured of a berth at this years nationals but they made sure that they would be hosting on a position of strength with playoff sweeps over Calgary and Saskatchewan.

Head to Head vs. Tourney Opponents This Season:
Alberta faced the Saskatchewan Huskies six timesthis year and went 4-1-1 including their two-game Canada West title playoff sweep. The Bears also played Acadia twice in non-conference action in Edmonton. The teams split the series with Alberta winning 3-2 on Dec. 29th and Acadia winning 5-4 on Dec. 30th.

The Golden Bears have strength throughout their roster and are led by players like Canada West First Team All-Star, All Rookie Team Selection, and Rookie of the Year; goaltender Aaron Sorochan, who had phenomenal stats between the pipes (15-4-1, 2.29 GAA, .908 SVP). Fifth year senior Chris Ovington (6 goals, 12 assists) anchors the Alberta blue line and was named the Top Defenceman in Canada West as well as a First Team All Star. Perry Johnson (3 goals, 18 assists) is also a First Team All-Stars on defence and plays excellent two-way hockey.

Offensively, Alberta is led by dangerous forward Ben Thomson (17 goals, 16 assists; 16th CIS), MVP of the 2005 TELUS University Cup, was also a First Team All-Star. Brad Tutschek (11-22-33; 19th CIS) and All-Rookie freshman Dylan Stanley (14-19-33; 20th CIS) can also deliver on the offensive end.

Other players to watch are players like Captain Gavin Mcleod (2 goals, 19 assists), Ben Kilgour (11 goals, 15 assists), and Joff Kehler (7 goals, 14 assists).

Alberta 05-06 Results:
Sat Mar 11 Alberta 6 Saskatchewan 1 PL Canada West Finals
Fri Mar 10 Alberta 0 Saskatchewan 0 PL Canada West Finals
Sat Mar 4 Alberta 7 Calgary 4 PL
Fri Mar 3 Alberta 8 Calgary 1 PL
Sat Feb 18 Alberta 5 Calgary 2
Thu Feb 16 Calgary 4 Alberta 2
Sat Feb 11 Alberta 8 Lethbridge 2
Fri Feb 10 Alberta 5 Lethbridge 2
Sat Feb 4 Alberta 4 UBC 1
Fri Feb 3 Alberta 8 UBC 1
Sat Jan 28 Alberta 3 Saskatchewan 1
Fri Jan 27 Alberta 3 Saskatchewan 1
Fri Jan 20 Regina 4 Alberta 2
Sat Jan 14 Alberta 12 Manitoba 5
Fri Jan 13 Alberta 4 Manitoba 2
Sat Jan 7 Alberta 3 Calgary 1
Fri Jan 6 Alberta 4 Calgary 2
Fri Dec 30 Acadia 5 Alberta 4 NC
Thu Dec 29 Alberta 3 Acadia 2 NC
Sat Dec 3 Alberta 6 Lethbridge 4
Fri Dec 2 Lethbridge 2 Alberta 2 OT TIE
Sat Nov 26 Alberta 6 UBC 5
Fri Nov 25 Alberta 6 UBC 4
Sat Nov 19 Alberta 5 Regina 4 OT
Fri Nov 18 Alberta 8 Regina 1
Sun Nov 6 Alberta 3 Saskatchewan 3 OT TIE
Fri Nov 4 Saskatchewan 6 Alberta 2
Sat Oct 29 Manitoba 2 Alberta 1
Fri Oct 28 Alberta 3 Manitoba 2
Sat Oct 22 Calgary 2 Alberta 0
Fri Oct 21 Alberta 5 Calgary 0
Sat Oct 15 Alberta 4 UBC 1
Fri Oct 14 Alberta 2 UBC 1
Sat Oct 8 Alberta 2 St. Cloud St 1 EX
Fri Oct 7 Alberta 5 MN-Mankato 0 EX
Thu Oct 6 Minnesota 4 Alberta 3 EX
Fri Sep 30 Saskatchewan 3 Alberta 1 NC
Sat Oct 1 Alberta 4 Calgary 2 NC
Fri Sep 23 Alberta 3 Regina 2 NC
Sat Sep 24 Alberta 6 Lethbridge 1 NC
Sun Sep 11 Alberta 5 Oilers Rookies 4 EX