CALGARY – Firing on all cylinders of late, the No. 10-ranked University of Calgary Dinos will march into Winnipeg looking to extend their seven-game win streak against the No. 9 Manitoba Bisons in one of the most crucial match-ups of the season.
Coming off three-consecutive sweeps versus Lethbridge, UBC and Regina, the Dinos are quickly making thoughts of a disappointing first half a thing of the past. Sitting fourth in the conference with a record of 13-7-0, Calgary has a chance this weekend to continue their climb up the standings and finish Saturday night as high as second place in Canada West. With Manitoba sitting in third, one point ahead of the Dinos, and Saskatchewan in second, two points up, this two-game set against the Bisons has the ability to set the tone for the remainder of the year.
“Anytime you go onto the road into a good building you're going to in for a tough weekend,” explained head coach Mark Howell. “Manitoba is a good team; they have a lot of fast skaters, a deep backend along with three or four lines that can score as well as good goaltending.”
A strong weekend by Calgary could keep them right in the hunt for one of the top spots in the conference, while a rough two games could allow the clubs behind them to inch closer. Currently trailing the Dinos closely in the standings are UBC and Regina, while Mount Royal and Lethbridge round out the conference a fair distance apart.
“Our guys have played well there in recent years so they can draw upon that, but it is always a new year, you have to go in their with the mindset of getting any points anyway you can,” spoke Howell of his team's prospects this weekend.
Even though the streak started one game prior against Mount Royal, it seems the Dinos' offence can't do anything wrong since a 10-1 victory over the Pronghorns on Nov. 29. Perhaps no one has been better over this span then team captain Brock Nixon, who has 12 points (4g, 6a) over his past seven games, including recording his first hat-trick as a Dino on Dec. 1 in Lethbridge. Maybe the most impressive part of his game has been his play away from the puck, something often praised upon by his head coach. Also with strong contributions in recent series have been Walker Wintoneak (5g, 6a), Kodie Curran (1g, 10a) and Taylor Stefishen (5g, 5a). On Monday both Nixon and Stefishen participated in the Calgary Flames' scrimmage, helping out the NHL club which was missing bodies for their one week-long training camp.
Apart from their ability to find the back of the net, Calgary has also seen their defence steadily improve as the season has gone on. Only No. 1 Alberta has scored more and allowed less tallies then Calgary in Canada West action so far. Eight of the nine listed defencemen on the Dinos' roster have a positive plus-minus rating, led by Giffen Nyren and Alex Dzielski who both rank at +15.
After finishing the 2011-12 regular season in first place, this year has proven difficult for Manitoba as they have battled portions of inconsistency. Nothing would likely please the Bisons more then to regain last season's form this weekend against the Dinos at home, a scenario in which Manitoba was eliminated by Calgary in the playoffs a year ago.
In his fourth year with the Bisons, Blair Macaulay remains the top threat for Manitoba and is supported by Hitmen alumnus Ian Duval and former Wheat King Tyler Dittmer. Behind the three forwards in team scoring are two offensively talented blue liners in Travis Bobbee and Jeremy Schappert with 14 and 13 points respectively in 20 games. Goaltending duties for Manitoba belong to Jesse Deckert who has 11 wins while starting 17 of the Bisons' games this season.
Following their two games in Winnipeg, the Dinos next see action Jan. 25-26 when they take on the Alberta Golden Bears for a home-and-home set. The Bisons will hit the road after hosting Calgary as they hit the ice versus the Lethbridge Pronghorns for two games Jan. 25 and 26.
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