CALGARY – They haven't played each other since the beginning of November, but it won't take long for the No. 10-ranked University of Calgary Dinos to be reacquainted with their arch-rivals, the No. 1 University of Alberta Golden Bears, as they battle in a home-and-home set this weekend.

Game 1 goes on Friday, Jan. 25 with a 7 p.m. puck drop at Father David Bauer Arena. The weekend wraps up in Edmonton the following night with the game at the Clare Drake Arena getting underway at 6 p.m.

Over the past month, the fortunes of the Dinos have taken a turn for the best as they find themselves in the middle of the chase for a prime playoff spot. After a first half filled with inconsistencies and series splits, Calgary has found their stride and has won eight of their past nine contests. With five of those wins coming in the New Year, it seems the holiday break has refocused the Dinos and has them ready to play their best hockey down the stretch.

Last weekend in Winnipeg, Calgary's seven-game winning streak came to a halt as Manitoba took the opener of their two-game set 6-0. Six different Bisons scored, while Jesse Deckert recorded the shutout. In the rematch, the two sides traded goals and eventually had to go into overtime. In three-on-three double overtime, Walker Wintoneak ended it with his 12th of the year.

With three weeks left in the regular season, Mark Howell's Dinos will play two of the conference's best clubs. Following this weekend's games, Calgary will travel to Saskatoon and take on the Huskies at the Rutherford Rink, the place of last year's Canada West Final, before ending the schedule with a Crowchild Classic match-up versus Mount Royal. Despite the difficult challenge ahead, the Dinos will have a very strong shot at finishing as high as second, which would give Calgary a first-round bye.

The Dinos are 14-8-0, good enough for third-place in-between a number of closely positioned squads. Assuming Alberta can lock-up first in the coming weeks, other teams chasing that final bye include Saskatchewan, Manitoba and UBC, while Regina will need to almost win-out for a chance at second place.

In their meeting earlier this season the Golden Bears won both games against the Dinos, which stands as the only sweep against Calgary in 2012-13. Winning by scores of 5-2 and 4-1, Alberta showed why they are one of the top teams in the country this year and left their southern rivals looking for answers.

In a series that will feature Canada West's hottest teams, the keys to this weekend might come down to defence and discipline. While both clubs are known for their offence, both teams also rank first and second with the least goals allowed. Kurtis Mucha and Real Cyr have only allowed 44 goals combined, while Dustin Butler and DeSerres have only had 54 pucks go past them. Where the clubs differ, Alberta has only has 325 penalties in minutes all year, compared to Calgary who has 460. The Dinos will need to stay out of the sin bin if they want to upset the top ranked Golden Bears.

Next weekend, Calgary will be on the road for a two-game set against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Feb. 1-2. The Dinos next home action will take place at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Feb. 7 in the first of two games against Mount Royal. Alberta will be back at home next weekend as they host the Regina Cougars on Feb. 1-2.

-UC-