CALGARY - While the Calgary Dinos have been average on Fridays this season, sporting a 0-2 record against UBC and the University of Alberta, they have been absolutely sensational on Saturdays.
Outscoring those same opponents 17-2 in two Saturday games, the Dinos have shown early indications of a team with the grit to come back from tough losses. This upcoming weekend against the Regina Cougars, the Dinos will be looking to parlay their torrid Saturday production into a full weekend of frustration for their opponents.
Unlike other Canada West schools, two early bye weeks for the Dinos have held them to only four total games, compared to some schools that have already competed in eight Canada West tilts. This may or may not have an adverse effect on team flow as they go through conference play, however statistically, it is been a non-issue for the Dinos.
While only having played half the games of Steven Gillen, with whom he is tied for the Canada West lead in goals with seven, forward Torrie Wheat has been a major offensive contributor for Calgary as well as for the league thus far. Wheat has already taken home CIS player of the week honours for his efforts earlier in the season. Second year forward Reid Jorgensen and rookie Brock Nixon are also ranked in the top 15 for total points in the Conference. The duo, along with Wheat and Kyle Annesley, who is coming back from injury, has the Dinos poised for a highly offensive season.
Travis Friedley, the fourth year assistant captain for the Dinos, is leading a very solid Dinos defense with five points. Along with newcomer Ryan Gillen and veteran Tommy Mannino, Friedley and the Dinos are moving in the right direction defensively.
Goaltenders Dustin Butler and Jeff Weber have been battling for playing time, and have both shown flashes of brilliance as well as mediocrity on the season. Both will be looking to distance themselves from the other in the fight for playing time between the pipes. Both are 1-1 on the year, but so far Weber has the statistical edge, holding a 2.52 goals-against average (GAA) compared to Butler who sits at a 3.50 GAA.
Through six games, the Cougars are proving to be a very respectable team in Canada West thus far, posting a 3-2-1 record. Much like the Dinos, Regina is having a hard time showing consistency on both nights of their weekend series, posting their three victories on three different weekends. While beating their opponents 8-1 and 5-2 in two games this season, they have also lost games 7-1 and 6-2. Similar to the Dinos again, the Cougars will certainly be looking to eliminate the big losses in favour of more big victories.
The Cougars will rely on forwards Kyle Ross and Dylan Chapman to provide the bulk of their offense, as both players have come out of the gate firing this year. Ross in particular is in the top ten in points in the conference.
Much like the Dinos yet again, the Cougars have been using a two goalie system through their six games, with Brant Hilton and Adam Ward competing for time. Ward has gotten more games than his teammate, but has struggled at the same time, sporting a 4.16 GAA. Hilton has only played in two games, but has been very good, allowing only two goals on 53 shots.
Regina and Calgary will meet on Friday Oct. 24 and Saturday Oct. 25 at Father David Bauer Arena with games times going at 7 p.m.
-UC-
