Ab SchAlberta Golden Bears
The Golden Bears head into the Canada West finals fresh off a thrilling 2-0 series victory over a gritty UBC Thunderbirds squad. The Bears took the first game 3-1, then came all the way back from a 3-1 deficit in the second game to clinch the series sweep.
The Battle of Alberta will be a rematch of last year’s Canada West finals in which the Bears destroyed the Dinos with ease. The Dinos have proven to be the biggest thorn in Alberta’ side this season, as they handed the Bears two of their four losses this year.
Calgary Dinos
The Dinos edged out the Mount Royal Cougars last weekend in the inaugural version of the Crowchild Classic, of the Battle of Calgary. The Dinos won the first game 3-2 in overtime, Mount Royal battled back and took the second game 5-2, then the Dinos won the series with a commanding 6-3 victory.
Revenge will be fresh on the Dinos’ mind heading into the Battle of Alberta, as they were dominated by the Bears in last year’s Canada West finals. Like last year, the Dinos will be in tough to take down a dominant Bears squad.
Alberta Pandas
Last year, the Pandas went into the Canada West playoffs with the best record in the conference, earning them a bye to the semifinals. In the semifinals, they were upset the fifth seed Regina Cougars, who went on to come within one goal away from winning the Canada West championship.
This year, the Pandas overcame their demons and swept their provincial rivals, the Calgary Dinos, earning them a shot at gold. They’ll take on the Bisons, a team they struggled with during the regular season, going 2-2 in their season series.
Manitoba Bisons
TIt’s taken the Bisons the most possible games to make it to the Canada West finals, as both of their previous series went the full three games. In the quarterfinals, they took down the Regina Cougars 2-1, then they came back from one game down to beat the favoured UBC Thunderbirds 2-1.
The Bisons and Pandas split their season series this year 2-2, but it’s hard to say whether they have the energy left to take down the Pandas on the road, especially after their lengthy playoff run. As a result, they’ll certainly be the underdogs in this championship series
Prediction
The Dinos won’t let the same thing happen to them again this year. Last year, the Bears blew them out of the water, winning 8-1 in the first game, and 2-1 in the second, earning them the sweep.
The Dinos have given the Bears a rough time this year and they’ll be competitive in the finals, but they won’t be able to best Alberta’s veteran experience and depth. Same goes for the Bisons, who likely won’t be able to out duel a rested Pandas squad.
All games will be played at the Clare Drake Arena in Edmonton, which will also give the Bears and Pandas an edge.
