CALGARY - Overshadowed by perennially strong Canada West hockey teams, the Alberta Bears and the Saskatchewan Huskies, the Dinos (5-3-1) have quietly been putting together a very good start to the season. Among their five victories thus far this season, two of them have been over their two mentioned rivals, with one being a 7-1 whooping of the No. 1-ranked Golden Bears.
This weekend, the No. 7-ranked Dinos will look to continue to creep up the Canada West standings with victories over the visiting Manitoba Bisons (3-5-2). The Bisons have struggled to start the season, stuck in a four-way tie for last place. However they cannot be overlooked, as two of their losses came in overtime games, and they still are only four points out of second place. With two games still in hand versus the Bisons, two victories would distance the Dinos significantly over Manitoba in the standings.
This past weekend's split against the third-ranked Huskies saw the Dinos receive five point performances from their two big guns, Reid Jorgensen and Torrie Wheat. Both players, who were held without a point two weekends ago, seem to be right back on track as they are both now in the top five in the Canada West points leaders.
Wheat, Jorgensen, and Brett O'Malley (two goals against the Huskies) will need to keep up their potent offensive attack as they are set to face Manitoba goaltender Steve Christie, who leads Canada West with 259 saves, good for a 0.902 save percentage. Christie, who has played all ten conference games for the Bisons, has been thoroughly tested between the pipes throughout the season, and will undoubtedly see solid pressure from the Dinos.
Team captain Jevon Desautels had himself a nice weekend against the Huskies, potting three points over two games, and is among many Dinos that will be looked upon to provide key secondary scoring as the season moves along.
The two-headed goaltending situation has been good for the Dinos so far, even having struggled against the Huskies this past Saturday. Both Jeff Weber and Dustin Butler saw time in the 5-3 loss, both letting in multiple goals. Both goalies have been solid in their respective turns in net, and will continue to team up with the likes of assistant captain Travis Friedley to lead the Dinos' defensive effort.
A great Calgary defensive effort will be needed this weekend as three members of the top ten in points will lace up for the brown and gold. Kyle Howarth, Mike Hellyer and Rick Wood currently occupy the sixth through eighth spots in the scoring race, and together have kept goaltenders on their heels throughout the season.
The Dinos and Bisons meet on Friday and Saturday at Father David Bauer Arena, with both games starting at 7 p.m.
The Dinos are back in action at home next weekend as well, playing a home-and-home series with Lethbridge that begins Friday night at Bauer.
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