CALGARY – Five points back of the final playoff berth in Canada West, the University of Calgary Dinos still have hope, but face the tall task of beating both the UBC Thunderbirds and the Trinity Western Spartans at home to keep their chances alive.

Coming off of a bizarre and subsequently disappointing weekend at home against the Victoria Vikes and Fraser Valley Cascades, the Dinos could not capitalize on an Alberta Golden Bears slip up, the team occupying fourth place in Canada West.

The Bears dropped both of their games on the West Coast against the T-Birds and Spartans, allowing the chance for the Dinos to creep closer in the playoff race. However Calgary lost both of their games by against BC teams as well, and did so on the unfamiliar turf of McMahon Stadium, host of the 2009 Grey Cup. The move was forced by typical unpredictable Calgary weather, where wet snow made the West Varsity Pitch unplayable.

Forward Ben Cole scored the lone goal of the weekend for Calgary, in a 3-1 loss to the Cascades on Monday, which came after a 2-0 loss to the Vikes on Sunday. Dinos goaltender #J.P. Crescenzi# made six saves on eleven shots on goal in the two matches, in a rare struggle for the Dinos defensive unit. Calgary captain and fullback, Joe Long, wasn't available on Monday's rare tilt, which may have proved the difference against the Cascades.

Calgary is now faced with a tall order after failing to register a point in the standings: sweep their west coast rivals this weekend, and hope for the Bears to lose both games of a home and home set against the Saskatchewan Huskies.

The UBC Thunderbirds are currently tied for first place with the Spartans, and have been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, allowing only six goals in 12 games. Goaltenders Elliot Usher and Nikolai Matni have shared time this year, and have been equally as impressive, combining for a 0.97 GAA to go along with four shutouts each.

The Trinity Western Spartans, who lost in the national final in 2008, have not missed a beat in 2009, currently sitting at third in the country. The Spartans lead the league in goals scored with 24, five more than the next closest team. Their dynamic forward Nathan Pogue has 12 points on the year to lead the conference, with nine of those being goals. Ioannis Tsoulouhas and Jason Wiens provide offensive support, with both players sporting five points on the season.

The Dinos hit the West Varsity Pitch on Saturday at 2:15 to face UBC before finishing the weekend set against the Spartans on Sunday. Barring a possible playoff run, fifth year forward David Bird will don the Calgary red and white for the last time on Sunday against the Spartans. Bird scored 10 points for the Dinos over his career, and is wished all the best as he moves on from the University of Calgary.

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