25 CHL grads win University Cup title with Alberta
Monday March 16, 2015
25 CHL graduates are CIS University Cup Champions with the University of Alberta Golden Bears after they defeated the UNB Varsity Reds 6-3 on Sunday in Halifax, NS.
The Golden Bears win their second consecutive CIS Championship and fifth in the last 10 years behind a complete effort in Sunday’s title victory where they outshot the AUS Champion UNB Varsity Reds 24-9.
Alberta jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead with goals from Edmonton Oil Kings graduates Stephane Legault and Jordan Hickmott.
UNB’s Dylan Willick (Kamloops Blazers) brought his club back to within one to start the second but Alberta’s Johnny Lazo (Tri-City Americans) scored a much needed insurance marker with three seconds remaining in the second frame to send the Golden Bears into the third period with a 3-1 lead.
AUS leading scorer Philippe Maillet (Victoriaville Tigres) gave the Varsity Reds new life 7:55 into the third, but tournament MVP Kruise Reddick (Tri-City Americans) struck back on the powerplay to reinstate Alberta’s two-goal cushion at 11:12.
UNB’s Adrian Robertson beat a screened Kurtis Mucha (Kamloops Blazers) at 15:50 to cut the Alberta lead to 4-3, but late shorthanded markers from Levko Koper (Spokane Chiefs) and Jordan Rowley (Prince Albert Raiders) gave Alberta all the offence they’d need to secure a 6-3 University Cup Championship victory.
“That wasn’t our best game I will say that for sure” said Alberta Head Coach Ian Herbers following the win. “We scored some timely goals and our penalty kill was fantastic – a very good [UNB] power play that we held off the scoreboard.”
Herbers commended his club on depth and versatility following the win.
“We haven’t relied on one line all year long or one set of defensemen; that’s just the character of our room – the work ethic, the leadership. We have a great group of young men and I am very proud of them. They have had an extremely good year – pulling together and finding ways to win.”
Golden Bears rookie forward Riley Kieser wins a CIS University Cup Championship just one year after a MasterCard Memorial Cup title with the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2014. The Edmonton, AB, native was named to the Canada West all-rookie team after posting seven goals, eight assists and 15 points in 27 games this season.
Alberta’s Hickmott (3 GP, 4-2–6), Reddick (3 GP, 3-1–4) and blueliner Jesse Craige (Chilliwack Bruins, 3 GP, 0-3–3) were named to the tournament all-star team. UNB’s Cam Braes (Moose Jaw Warriors, 3 GP, 5-0–5) and rearguard Jordan Murray (Drummondville Voltigeurs, 3 GP, 0-3–3) also received the distinction.
In bronze medal game action, Kyle Neuber (Sarnia Sting) scored 5:31 into overtime to give the Guelph Gryphons a 3-2 victory over the UQTR Patriotes. The Gryphons overcame a 2-1 deficit going into the third period to come back and win the sixth CIS medal in Guelph men’s hockey history.
Guelph goaltender Andrew D’Agostini (Peterborough Petes) was named to the tournament all-star team after posting a 2.27 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in three tournament games. The native of Scarborough, ON, was named to the OUA West’s all-rookie team this season.
Alberta Golden Bears – CIS University Cup Champions (25 CHL grads):
Colin Archer (Red Deer Rebels 2011)
Dylan Bredo (Medicine Hat Tigers 2014)
Thomas Carr (Medicine Hat Tigers 2011)
Jesse Craige (Chilliwack Bruins 2010)
Jamie Crooks (Victoria Royals 2013)
Zack Dailey (Everett Silvertips 2010
Josh Derko (Lethbridge Hurricanes 2014)
James Dobrowolski (Prince George Cougars 2011)
Brett Ferguson (Red Deer Rebels 2011)
T.J. Foster (Edmonton Oil Kings 2013)
Jordan Hickmott (Edmonton Oil Kings 2011)
Riley Kieser (Edmonton Oil Kings 2014)
Levko Koper (Spokane Chiefs 2011)
Johnny Lazo (Tri-City Americans 2010)
Stephane Legault (Edmonton Oil Kings 2013)
Kurtis Mucha (Kamloops Blazers 2010)
Drew Nichol (Edmonton Oil Kings 2010)
Rhett Rachinski (Edmonton Oil Kings 2012)
Kruise Reddick (Tri-City Americans 2011)
Jordan Rowley (Prince Albert Raiders 2011)
Luke Siemens (Prince Albert Raiders 2013)
Jarrett Toll (Tri-City Americans 2010)
Travis Toomey (Seattle Thunderbirds 2011)
Mitch Topping (Tri-City Americans 2014)
Brennan Yadlowski (Everett Silvertips 2012)
Tournament MVP
F – Kruise Reddick, Alberta (Tri-City Americans 2011)
CIS University Cup Tournament All-Star Team
G – Andrew D’Agostini, Guelph (Peterborough Petes 2014)
D – Jordan Murray, UNB (Drummondville Voltigeurs 2013)
D – Jesse Craige, Alberta (Chilliwack Bruins 2010)
F – Jordan Hickmott, Alberta (Edmonton Oil Kings 2011)
F – Cam Braes (Moose Jaw Warriors 2012)
F – Kruise Reddick (Tri-City Americans 2011)
For more information please visit www.universitycup.ca