Top-ranked titans ready for clash.
Golden Bears, to face off twice against Dinos
“They are bigger than we are, but we have more skill.”
IAN HERBERS , GOLDEN BEARS COACH
As the undefeated University of Alberta Golden Bears men’s hockey team prepares for its biggest challenge of the season this weekend against the also-undefeated University of Calgary Dinos, Ian Herbers is experiencing a bit of deja vu.
It’s been 23 years since the Golden Bears and Dinos have faced off against each other while been ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Back then, in February 1990, Herbers was on the ice for the Golden Bears, not behind the bench like he is now.
The head coach remembers the competition between the opposing teams quite vividly.
“Back then, Calgary was our biggest rival,” recalls Herbers, who played for the Golden Bears from 1988 to 1992. “(Both teams) had two great coaches, who ran very good programs. It was very competitive (rivalry), with high-intensity games.”
It seems that not much has changed since then.
This weekend, the No. 1ranked Golden Bears will play the No. 2 Dinos in a highly anticipated and much hyped home-and-home series that starts Friday in Calgary. Both teams are coming into the weekend with spotless 12-0 records, a statistic that Dinos head coach Mark Howell describes as “unheard of.”
“It’s a unique situation that, this far into the season, you have two teams meeting each other that are both 12-0,” Howell said. “Both teams are fighting for first place. There’s something to play for here.”
Combined, the Golden Bears and the Dinos are sitting at the top of just about every statistical category in the Canada West conference. The two programs have eight of the conference’s top 10 scorers and boast the top four goaltenders in Canada West.
Their respective special teams are also neck and neck. The Golden Bears boast the best power play in the nation and the fourth-best penalty kill, while the Dinos are right behind with the second-best power play and the fifth-best penalty kill.
The competition between the two teams had been close before the regular season even started.
In the four games of exhibition play against each other, the Golden Bears and the Dinos walked away with two victories apiece.
Both coaches — who are also former U of A teammates — know the games will be extremely tight.
“Both teams have quick forwards that can score, mobile defencemen and great goaltending,” Howell said. “I think fans are going to see a really fast and intense brand of hockey this weekend.”
“They are bigger than we are, but we have more skill than they have,” Herbers said. “I think it’s going to come down to will and compete this weekend and maybe a lucky bounce. … Who knows, it could (come down to) a bad bounce, maybe a questionable call.”
Golden Bears captain Sean Ringrose calls the matchup between the two undefeated teams slightly bizarre.
“We only play each other four times a year, and with our records being identical, this weekend is going to be hugely important,” said Ringrose, adding that there is much more on the line than simply an undefeated season.
“Finishing first in Canada West gives you a huge benefit in the playoffs, getting that home ice advantage. We want to make sure we are setting ourselves up to be able to do that.”
Herbers usually uses his team’s depth to his advantage, rotating everyone on the penalty kill, and playing three separate power play units. But against the Dinos, he knows that won’t be a factor.
“Usually by the second game (other teams) don’t survive, or by the third period they are worn out and tired,” Herbers said. “We won’t have that advantage against Calgary.”
Herbers stresses the games will come down to one major factor.
“It’s going to be the will and compete.”
The Golden Bears will play the Dinos in Calgary on Friday and wrap up the weekend in front of a home crowd on Saturday at Clare Drake Arena at 6 p.m.