FreddyFoyle
Registered User
Bob Stauffer continually tells me that was the best CIS/USports game that he got to broadcast / attended.That was a hell of a game!
Bob Stauffer continually tells me that was the best CIS/USports game that he got to broadcast / attended.That was a hell of a game!
I did say it was a BOLD predicton.Not that bold a prediction with McGill and UQTR missing! Concordia is the one team that could play spoiler!
I believe the ice surface can and probably will make a difference. Calgary found out the hard way on the regulation ice in Charlottetown that UPEI closes down on you REALLY quickly, and there is no space to turn. Of course that season the Dinos had home ice throughout the playoffs. It was probably a factor last year as well (still can't believe TMU beat them).The ice surface at TD Place has an unusual shape with really sharp corners and end boards that give funny bounces. TD Place ice is 200x85 but it feels smaller. I believe that teams coming from larger ice surfaces (MRU) will struggle, much as we saw Calgary struggle last year (both Calgary and MRU play on Olympic ice at home).
TMU is not an elite program ... the OUA West is just weak. Now, TMU may sneak past MRU owing to the game time and ice surface, just TMU did versus Calgary in 2024, but they will then get demolished in the Semis if they advance. I give MRU the edge, but neither MRU or TMU will advance to the Finals.
Ottawa does not belong and will get pasted by UNB, sadly.
I believe the Sask-Queens and Conc-Moncton games are toss-ups. Sask is better than Queens but Queens is close to home and their OHLers will be familiar with TD Place.
I think Concordia-Moncton will be the best game of the QF.
Barring a miracle I don't see anyone other than UNB hoisting the Championship.
Log5 Percentages of Winning (using Regular Season and Playoff Record)
UNB (90%), CON (3%), MRU (2%), USK (2%), OTT (1%), QU (1%), UdM (.5%) & TMU (.5%)
ELO Percentages of Winning (based on the last published ELO, Feb. 18th)
UNB (50% or 1 in 2), USK (15% or 1 in 7), MRU (8% or 1 in 12),
UdeM (5.75% or 1 in 17), CON (5.54% or 1 in 18),
QU (4.92 or 1 in 20), OTT (4.45 or 1 in 22) &
TMU (2.36 or 1 in 42)
Playing devils advocate here….
I know they have the name recognition, but is McGill really “elite”? Since their lone NC in 2012, they have won one Queens Cup and only made the UCup four times (and the first three appearances resulted in an 0-4 record). Last year is their only 20 win season since 2017/18.
Unfortunately won't be able to make this year. Life gets in the way.
For the record, I wasn’t implying TMU was elite. I’m with you…they are currently the best in the OUA West, but not elite.In a 13 year span (2006-2018) McGill won the OUA East 8 times and won the Queen's Cup 5 times on the road. In that same span UQTR won the OUA East 4 times, and Queens once. That's elite.
For comparison, TMU has made the Queens Cup Final twice in its history, and lost both games on home ice. Not in the same stratosphere.
Also want to throw out that McGill was 18-9-1 this year, TMU was 17-10-1, and TMU had a 1-4 record against the top 5 OUA East teams (Queens, Ott, Carleton, McGill, Conc, UQTR). Tough to argue that TMU is elite and McGill is not.
McGill's truly elite span ended in 2018. I would argue that the 2019 death of Kelly Nobes sent McGill into a 4 year tailspin they are now just emerging from. Every USports Coach knows that it takes 4 years to build your roster, and with the pandemic we are now seeing David Urquhart's team. McGill has the foundation to build on, and will return to the University Cup soon.
I believe the ice surface can and probably will make a difference. Calgary found out the hard way on the regulation ice in Charlottetown that UPEI closes down on you REALLY quickly, and there is no space to turn. Of course that season the Dinos had home ice throughout the playoffs. It was probably a factor last year as well (still can't believe TMU beat them).
Agree, 100%. Just because a team is not called UNB, doesn't mean they are not an elite team. Ryerson/TMU is a good team but not elite.In a 13 year span (2006-2018) McGill won the OUA East 8 times and won the Queen's Cup 5 times on the road. In that same span UQTR won the OUA East 4 times, and Queens once. That's elite.
For comparison, TMU has made the Queens Cup Final twice in its history, and lost both games on home ice. Not in the same stratosphere.
Also want to throw out that McGill was 18-9-1 this year, TMU was 17-10-1, and TMU had a 1-4 record against the top 5 OUA East teams (Queens, Ott, Carleton, McGill, Conc, UQTR). Tough to argue that TMU is elite and McGill is not.
McGill's truly elite span ended in 2018. I would argue that the 2019 death of Kelly Nobes sent McGill into a 4 year tailspin they are now just emerging from. Every USports Coach knows that it takes 4 years to build your roster, and with the pandemic we are now seeing David Urquhart's team. McGill has the foundation to build on, and will return to the University Cup soon.
I think you meant the overtime game that Ferguson's shot, from just inside the blue line beat the Alberta goaltender and sent the Bears packing. I was referring to the other hosting year (UNB) Where X stunned Alberta in the first game of the tournament.Bob Stauffer continually tells me that was the best CIS/USports game that he got to broadcast / attended.
Easily the best university game I have ever seen. National semi-final…hometown UNB vs. the undefeated Bears before a packed AUC on a Saturday night. Blair St. Martin got the hostilities started during the ceremonial face-off and the atmosphere was off the charts the rest of the game. Wild swings of momentum…Alberta was up 4-2…UNB scored three straight in the 3rd…Bears tied it in the last minute. The game had everything.I think you meant the overtime game that Ferguson's shot, from just inside the blue line beat the Alberta goaltender and sent the Bears packing.
My take too…those are the only three I consider.I always considered the elite CIS teams as being Alberta and UNB.
Since 2000, Alberta with 7 titles, UNB 9, each with 4 silver medal in that span.
UQTR is the only one in the distance with 3 titles and 2 silver medals.
Best recent game I’ve seen was UQTR-Alberta.Easily the best university game I have ever seen.
Don’t think it’s considered “recent” anymore…but the 2016 X/Saskatchewan triple OT semi-final in Halifax is right up there too.Best recent game I’ve seen was UQTR-Alberta.
Theirs something really enjoyable about watching a game like that where you have no skin in the game, see it for what it is like a great movie ..Don’t think it’s considered “recent” anymore…but the 2016 X/Saskatchewan triple OT semi-final in Halifax is right up there too.
I can watch ANY game and enjoy it. My team doesn't always have to win. But, as I've said before, I'm different.Theirs something really enjoyable about watching a game like that where you have no skin in the game, see it for what it is like a great movie ..
On the flip side UNB-X in 2018 is a top 5 CIS game I’ve seen but it took me a year to accept what a great game it was lol.
No I 100% agree with you.I can watch ANY game and enjoy it. My team doesn't always have to win. But, as I've said before, I'm different.
Is Mount Royal the first school to appear in both the CCAA nationals and the USport Nationals? Has UPEI been to the USport Nationals?
National final 2010I can watch ANY game and enjoy it. My team doesn't always have to win. But, as I've said before, I'm different.