MRU’S hockey champs aim to repeat
This being the institution’s last crack at an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference title, the Mount Royal University men’s hockey squad is aiming for the second straight season to finish in a blaze of glory.
“I think the guys have done a good job, representing the school and the conference well,” said Cougars’ head coach Jean Laforest. “We want to continue that competitiveness and get into a situation where we can leave the ACAC on a championship note.’’
So far this season, the Cougars have succeeded in the competitiveness department, topping the conference with a 19-1-2 record in the hopes of defending their ACAC crown. What’s even more rewarding is the fact that MRU has continued where it left off last year with 14 new faces in the lineup.
“The season’s gone well, no doubt,’’ Laforest said. “Standings don’t always tell the picture, but overall, from an athletic program perspective, it’s gratifying to be in that topfour position.
“It’s in part due to the quality of student-athlete we recruited in the off-season. We have a good solid core of leadership from guys who were here who’ve done a nice job of navigating and directing these new players.’’
The Cougars play a home-andhome series versus third-place Augustana this weekend. MRU is five points up on second-place SAIT and it heads into the weekend with 97 goals for, but a sterling 47 goals against — by far the stingiest team in the league.
“What’s funny is when you compare this year’s team to last year’s, it’s very similar,’’ Laforest indicated.
From an athletic program perspective, it’s gratifying to be in that top-four position
HEAD COACH JEAN LAFOREST
“We’ve got solid goaltending. We have two guys — Justin Cote and Dalyn Flette — and there isn’t one that dominates. They’re both of equal value to us.
“Last year, we were in a lot of tight games. The same thing has occurred this year. I wanted to get away from that, get a little more cushion offensively. (But) it allows you to replicate what happens in the playoffs. In playoffs, everything is magnified, defence tightens up and positional play becomes more important. It was a course we took last year and we were successful.’’
There’s always that fear of having peaked too early, but Laforest is confident that his crew can keep doing the things that have brought them where they are in 2011-12.
“It’s like being in a rowboat, if you will,’’ he noted. “I don’t want to be having to stop small leaks here and there; we want to make sure we’re floating and moving forward.’’