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U Sports hockey power rankings: Not what you’d expect

U Sports' top four teams all face interesting developments as they head into next semester.

With playoffs just around the corner, it’s time to evaluate U Sports‘ top four teams as they head into potential playoff games. And most importantly, how do the Golden Bears compare?

1. Concordia has a similar setup to the Bears, just with more wins

For those not keeping track of men’s hockey across U Sports, the University of Concordia Stingers probably slid under the radar. But with only two overtime (OT) losses in 18 games, they’re seated first in U Sports, by one point, on top of an undefeated home game record.

With 10 rookies, they’re in a similar position to the Bears, where their younger lineup established early success. This could pose an interesting challenge for the Bears, and a potential rivalry series for the next four years.

Unlike the Bears, the Stingers haven’t seen a national appearance since 1984 and have no U Sports championships. If there was ever a team to change that, it’s probably this one.

A key to such success comes from first-year goalie Nikolas Hurtubise who currently has a 1.97 goals against average. Though the guys in front of him certainly help, with an average of 1.79 goals against, compared to 4.89 goals for. Mathieu Bizier leads the Stingers and Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in points while sitting third for goals. Despite being in his third year, he’s on track for a career high season.

2. Can the Reds get their third straight U Sports title?

As the reigning U Sports champions, there’s not many teams you can place above the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds. And they’ve already clinched a playoff spot with only one known weakness — Saint Francis Xavier University (StFX).

StFX has been the only team to beat the Reds since their undefeated season last year, and the only one’s to do it this season. So what is it about StFX that can take down this dominant team? Wouldn’t the Bears like to know.

At 5.76 goals per game and only 1.5 goals against, the Reds clearly control the play. But what takes them over the edge is their league best goalie, Sam Richard. As a third-year goaltender, and a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, the Red’s have two more playoff runs with Richard. But they’ll have to start the second semester without him.

Richard will be the starting goaltender for the International University Sports Federation (FISU) games between January 13 to 23. This gives an opportunity for fourth-year goalie Tanner Somers to warm up a bit after only playing two of 18 games thus far.

3. Golden Bears win critical games with adjusting lineup

It was tough not to put the Bears higher, but their performance as of late has been questionable, leaving some to wonder, “can they turn it around?”

Seems like it. The team will start the new year injury free, with a lineup that won nine of their first ten games. With moving lines, the Bears only won four of the six games after that. However, the team did adjust, winning some critical games with positive developments from certain players.

Assistant captain Eric Florchuk added some chemistry back into an otherwise rough starting lineup. It’ll be interesting to see whether head coach Ian Herbers decides to play him with Bears captain Josh Prokop. But if the intent is to recreate the same team from a few months ago, Florchuck will play with Tyler Preziuso and Alex Thacker.

Like the Reds, the Bears actually have quite a bit of recent playoff experience. Over the last 10 national championships, the Bears have won three titles with six appearances. Second only to the Reds with six titles and seven appearances.

4. Queen’s cracks top four with a six game win streak

Winning an OT game against the power-rankings leader definitely gets you some attention, but winning eight of 18 games by a one goal margin gets you more.

At only 3.89 goals per game, Queen’s University has the lowest goals per game average, placing them under the Bears’ 4.17. However, Queen’s is a defence heavy team, averaging only two goals against.

On the offensive side, Queen’s relies heavily on Nolan Hutcheson who sits first in the OUA for goals and is the only player from Queen’s to make into the top 10 for points and top 20 for goals. This begs the question — what happens if he can’t play?

Queen’s will have to figure that out come January, when Hutcheson joins Richard at the FISU games. Unfortunately for Queen’s, they play the Stingers on January 19 in a conference leading matchup, now a key forward short.

Caprice St. Pierre

Caprice St. Pierre is in her first year of a double major in history and media studies with a minor in economics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and skating.

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