CALGARY - With two games left in their first semester schedule, the no.10 University of Calgary Dinos aim to cap off a successful first half with a pair of victories over the Regina Cougars on the road.
The Dinos, who were idle last weekend, are 6-4-0-2 on the year, with victories over Manitoba, Saskatchewan and competitive games against Alberta proving highlights thus far.
The Cougars, on the other hand, sit at 5-9 and in sixth place in the seven-team Canada West. Regina is mired in somewhat of a rough stretch, going 1-5 in their past six games against Manitoba, Alberta, and Lethbridge where they've been outscored 25-7.
Calgary relies on their top-line on the offensive end, where Reid Jorgensen, Torrie Wheat and Brock Nixon make up nearly half of the Dinos points on their own. Jorgensen, in particular, ranks fifth in Canada West with 15 points, 13 back of league leader Chad Klassen., and first in the conference in goals.
Nixon has been particularly effective in the shootout, connecting on three of his five attempts in the extra frame, with one of those proving the game winner for his side.
Calgary Head Coach Mark Howell said at the beginning of the season that the addition of rookie netminder Kris Lazaruk would boost the level of play in general between the pipes, and the second year head coach as proved prophetic thus far. Dustin Butler and Lazaruk sit in first and second in save percentage, and second and third in GAA in Canada West. Playing every other game, neither of the two has given any reason for the coaching staff to resort to the other on a full-time basis, which has given the Dinos an enormous boost on the back-end.
Regina is fueled by a fairly well rounded attack, with Terrance DeLaronde leading the charge with nine total points. Twenty of 22 total skaters to play for Regina have notched a point so far, which presents matchup problems for any team surely.
Adam Ward and A.J. Whiffen have each found their time between the pipes for the Cougars, with both netting similar results. Ward comes out on top in most categories, such as wins (3), GAA (3.57) and save percentage (0.900), but Whiffen isn't too far behind.
Home ice has been the key for both teams in year's past, with Regina easily handling the Dinos within the confines of the Co-operators Centre, going 4-0-0 against Calgary. While it won't help them this weekend, Calgary has returned the favour at home in Father David Bauer Arena, going 4-0-0 as well.
Both Calgary and Regina will take the holiday break off following the weekend series, and will each return to action on January 7th. Calgary will face off with the Lethbridge Pronghorns in a home-and-home series, while Regina will host Saskatchewan.
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