CALGARY – After finding themselves out of a playoff spot to start the second half of the season, the University of Calgary Dinos men's hockey team has clawed back into fifth place thanks to six straight victories, earning them a quarter-final rematch with the UBC Thunderbirds.
"It's been a lot of fun," explained fifth-year forward
Chris Collins on his team battling through adversity. "It was a bit eye opening for us that we could possibly miss playoffs and we knew coming into the second half that we'd have to get on a roll to make [the playoffs], which we have been."
This will be a rematch of last year's Canada West Quarter-Final, where the Dinos earned a sweep of the T-Birds. However, the Dinos will be on the road this year, rather than at home.
Five Dinos are preparing for their final chance at a Canada West Championship and a birth to the University Cup. Seniors
Adam Kambeitz, Brayden Sherbinin,
Dan Gibb,
Drydn Dow and Collins are all wrapping up their careers with the Dinos.
Collins has been electric as of late for the Dinos, tallying 12 points (6G, 6A) in the team's six game winning streak. He has also scored three straight game-winning goals dating back to Feb 3.
The Dinos are no strangers to the postseason, as they prepare for their ninth consecutive trip to the Canada West Playoffs. This season, the Dinos have many players in their first year with the program who are ready to rewrite the narrative. This includes Tyler Coulter, who joined the Dinos from Jacksonville of the ECHL for the second half of the season.
"It's been a crazy year - when coming here this team had a great record before the set back. [However], it was the best thing for our team in the long run because it taught us to play through anything and really helped us find an identity. I know myself I'm excited and this team has the depth to do something special come playoffs so I can't wait."
DETAILS:
Date: Friday, Feb. 16. Saturday, Feb. 17. Sunday, Feb. 18 (if necessary)
Start time: 8:30 p.m. Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Sunday MT (if necessary)
Venue: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre (Vancouver, B.C.)
HEADLINES:
- Both teams have been playing their best hockey of the season in the second semester. The Dinos are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games, while UBC is 8-1-1.
- These clubs met to start the second half of the season in January. UBC took the first game with a 3-2 OT victory before the Dinos bounced back to secure a 4-2 win.
- This same matchup was a Canada West Quarter-Final series last year, except the Dinos were the third seed, facing the sixth-seeded Thunderbirds. Game 1 produced a U SPORTS all-time classic, with the Dinos winning 5-4 in triple overtime.
CALGARY DINOS (12-13-3)
- The Dinos have proved they are capable of being an elite offensive team, outscoring their opponents 30-12 amid winning six straight games.
- Chris Collins and Cain Franson will split this year's team scoring title, with both players earning 29 points in 28 regular season games.
- Aside from Collins and Franson, the Dinos have plenty of offensive depth this year. Players such as Riley Sheen (5G, 8A in 11GP) and Logan Fisher (5G, 10A in 19GP) have also added scoring depth.
No. 10 UBC THUNDERBIRDS (16-10-2)
- UBC also boasts a deep offensive corps. Six players (five forwards, and one defenceman) have 20+ points on the season.
- Rookie forward Matt Revel has had a breakout year with the T-Birds, amassing 21 points (10G, 11A) in 21 games played with the program.
