EDMONTON – Converting twice on 18 shots, the No. 7 University of Calgary Dinos picked up their second consecutive win over the No. 1 University of Alberta Golden Bears with a 2-1 decision at the Clare Drake Arena on Friday night.
Alberta, who came into the weekend with just one loss, controlled the possession time but were once again hampered by the man in the Calgary crease. A second period goal by
Drydn Dow gave the Dinos momentum in the second period, while
Kevin King scored the game-winning goal in the final frame.
"This is a testament to how hard we have been working. We had a lot of things to sharpen up – I don't think last night was our most sound game – we played better tonight and got the result we wanted," said
Spencer Edwards. "They were skating around us a bit, but once we calmed our game down, we started getting some better chances."
Tonight's loss marks the first time the Golden Bears have been swept since Oct. 19-20, 2012 when they dropped two straight versus the Saskatchewan Huskies. Calgary moves within two points of first with a 12-4-0 record, while Alberta falls to 13-3-0.
"We showed up as a team tonight. Anytime you can take four points from Alberta it is a huge weekend," noted
Dan Gibb. "If you look at all the accolades and accomplishments that organization has, it is going to be a war whenever you take the ice. The fact we got the upper hand really puts a fire in your belly every time."
The Golden Bears came out of the game hard in the first period as they tried to set the tone on home ice. Alberta sent 12 shots on goal and contained Calgary's offence. The Dinos' best chance came on a two-on-on between
Dylan Walchuk and
Davis Vandane, but the second-year Calgary defender would miss the net.
Jacob DeSerres' 12 saves in the first were his most in any period as he went on to make 28 on the evening.
"All the credit has to go to Jake, he was standing on his head and making stops left, right and centre. Everyone was blocking shots though and were committed to keeping the puck out," explained Gibb.
Calgary took the lead on their second power play of the game. Circling the puck to the point, Dow wired a wrist shot from the blue line past Luke Siemens. The goal at 5:56 was his first of the year.
The marker by Dow began to turn the play in the Dinos' favour, but the score remained 1-0 going into the third period.
The Dinos made it a 2-0 game half way through the third period on a turnover behind the Golden Bears' net. Stealing the puck from an Alberta defenceman, Edwards dished the puck into the front of the net where King made no mistake beating Siemens for his fifth of the campaign.
DeSerres was forced to make a number of miraculous saves in the closing minutes of the third. With the goalie pulled in the final minute, the Dinos goaltender robbed both Jordan Hickmott and T.J. Foster of unbelievable chances. After stopping Foster though, Jordan Rowley finally got the home team on the scoreboard with his second of the year.
With 46 seconds left to tie the game, Alberta went back to the attack and were sent to the power play with 27 seconds to go. The Golden Bears would not light the lamp again though as the Dinos pulled off the sweep.
"We haven't been happy with how we have played in a while. Today's game is a step in the right direction and hopefully we can keep it going and pick it up after the break," said Edwards.
Alberta outshot Calgary 29-18. The Dinos went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Golden Bears went 0-for-4.
Calgary returns to action next weekend, Nov. 28-29 with two home games to close out the calendar year as the UBC Thunderbirds come to town.
-UC-