CALGARY – For an eighth consecutive year, the University of Calgary Dinos find themselves in the semifinal round of the Canada West men's hockey playoffs. After a feisty series with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds which the Dinos won in three games, they will look ahead to the always dangerous University of Saskatchewan Huskies with a berth to the 2018 University Cup on the line.

Although the Dinos are no strangers to the conference semifinal, they have been unable to advance past this stage to the conference final for the past six seasons. The last time this team won their conference semifinal series was in 2012 against the Manitoba Bisons, where they were ultimately swept by the Saskatchewan Huskies in the conference finals.

However, Calgary will head into the semifinal with confidence, as they bounced back from a 4-1 game one loss to UBC with 6-3 and 4-2 victories. Riley Sheen was unstoppable for the Dinos, scoring four goals in three games, and tallying both game-winners in the Calgary victories. 

"It was huge for us to keep our season alive but it is not a surprise to see our team bounce back from being down," noted Dinos netminder Matthew Greenfeld. "We have had our backs against the wall the entire second half and we have shown resiliency time and time again."

Greenfield played an instrumental role in the series win, backstopping the Dinos to both their victories in games two and three, after Jordan Papirny received the game one start. Although he is only in his second season as a Dino, Greenfield started all four playoff games for the team last season.

"As a goalie the more games you play the better you typically feel, so having played in playoffs last year I know what to expect and I am comfortable in the biggest of moments."

With Canada West receiving two berths to the 2018 University Cup (the U SPORTS men's hockey national championships), both semifinal series carry significant meaning to the four schools participating. 

"We have a great team. We are deep, fast and battle tested. if I just do my job, and try to give the boys a chance to win each game I think we'll have a great shot to win the series and ultimately clinch a ticket to nationals." 

DETAILS
Canada West Semifinal (best-of-three)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 22-Saturday, Feb. 24 (if necessary)
Start time: 6:30 p.m. MT Thursday/Friday/Saturday (if necessary)
Venue: Rutherford Arena, Saskatoon, Sask.

HEADLINES   

• The Dinos went 1-2-0-1 against the Huskies in regular season play. In October, the Dinos dropped a 2-1 shootout decision before bouncing back with a 4-2 victory, while their January meetings saw the Dinos lose both games, 4-1 and 2-0.
• The last time these teams met in the playoffs was in the 2016 Canada West semifinals. Saskatchewan swept the series with a 4-3 2OT and 5-3 win. 
• Although the Dinos are 2-7-1 in their last ten games at Rutherford Arena, Calgary and Saskatchewan are 20-20 against one another in all-time conference play. 

No. 10 CALGARY DINOS (12-13-3, 2-1 playoffs)   

• The Dinos showed off their depth last weekend, with 14 players registering at least one point in their three game series against UBC. Six of these players had multiple point weekends, led by Riley Sheen (4G, 0A), and Chris Collins (1G, 2A).
• Thanks to their victories last weekend, Calgary is now 8-2 in their last 10 games. In this period, they have outscored their opponents 41 to 23.
• A victory for the Dinos would clinch them a berth in the national championship - allowing graduating players Adam Kambeitz, Brayden Sherbinin, Chris Collins, Dan Gibb and Drydn Dow a chance at the University Cup in their final season as Dinos.

No. 5 SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (20-7-1, 0-0 playoffs)   

• In their final regular season games, the Huskies made easy work of the Mount Royal Cougars, who swept the Manitoba Bisons last weekend to advance to the semifinals, by 4-2 and 7-2 scores.
• Although the Huskies fell to the Alberta Golden Bears in last year's Canada West finals, they are the reigning U Sports silver medalists, having advanced to last season's national championship game.
• Reigning U Sports and Canada West goaltender of the year Jordan Cooke has been a thorn in the Dinos' side since he joined the Huskies. Cooke boasts a 12-4 record all-time against the Dinos in regular season and playoff action.

-UC-