Ruilin FuBears Hockey
It was another successful weekend for the Bears hockey team, as they swept away the Lethbridge Pronghorns to extend their winning streak to six games.
The green and gold dispatched the ‘Horns with ease on Friday night, riding a five goal first period to a 10-1 win. Rhett Rachinski and Levko Koper both lit the lamp twice, while Jordan Rowley and Brett Ferguson both tallied three assists in the victory.
The Bears weren’t able to score 10 on Saturday night, but they still recorded a decisive 4-1 win. Jamie Crooks scored twice for the home side, while Kruise Reddick tallied a goal and an assist to help the Bears finish 2015 with a win.
The Bears now only sit one point behind the Saskatchewan Huskies for top spot in Canada West, and will open their 2016 schedule on Jan. 8 and 9 against the Manitoba Bisons. — Zach Borutski
Pandas Hockey
Unlike the Bears, the Pandas couldn’t escape their weekend series with the Pronghorns undefeated, as they split their final games of 2015, winning 3-0 on Friday night, but losing 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, the Pandas got the win behind a third straight shutout from Lindsay Post, and a two goal performance from Ashley Morin. Janelle Froehler also lit the lamp in the victory. It was the eighth time the Pronghorns had been shutout so far this season.
The Pronghorns were able to get back in the win column on Saturday however, buoyed by the strong play of first-year goalie Alicia Anderson, who stopped 31 of the 32 shots she faced. Anderson was able to hold her team in the game as they came back from a 1-0 deficit, as Lauren Friedrich scored the eventual winner with just over three minutes left in the third. Autumn McDougall scored the lone goal for the Pandas.
Despite the loss to close out the first half of the season, the Pandas still remain tied for first place in Canada West with the Manitoba Bisons, and will open the second half against those very same Bisons on Jan. 8 and 9. — Zach Borutski
Bears Basketball
It was a successful weekend for Bears basketball, as they won both of their games against the Regina Cougars, pulling themselves back to the .500 mark in the process.
It was the Mamadou Gueye show all weekend for the Bears, as the third-year forward put up a team high 22 points on Friday night, as the Bears pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the Cougars 22-11. The final score would end up being 84-65 in the Bears’ favour. Brody Clarke had a solid game as well for the Bears, contributing with 15 points and nine rebounds. Alex Igual led the Cougars in scoring with 15 points of his own in a losing effort.
Gueye upped his game even further on Saturday night, pouring in a career and game high 35 points, as well as nine rebounds in a 66-63 win. No other Bears player scored more than eight points, and Gueye had over half of his team’s points in the win. Aaron McGowan lead the Cougars in scoring, putting up 22 points, while also grabbing eight boards in the loss.
With the two wins, the Bears now sit at 4-4 on the season, and will play a single game against the Calgary Dinos this upcoming weekend to finish up the first half of the season. — Zach Borutski
