University Cup 2025

[FreddyFoyle]

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.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Not that bold a prediction with McGill and UQTR missing! Concordia is the one team that could play spoiler!

I did say it was a BOLD predicton.

Moncton played UNB really tough this year in the AUS finals, unlike last year. I thought they were a bit deer-in-the-headlights last year at Nationals, and those early penalties and early goals to UQTR doomed them.

I like Concordia. But I'm wondering if there is an X factor for them winning the Queen's Cup for the first time, getting the gold medals, coming in the top OUA team, maybe being a tad proud of themselves (which is understandable). Whereas Moncton is the underdog, hungry and probably believe they could have beat UNB.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

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.

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).

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

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)

Numbers check out.

 

[MiamiHockeyII]

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.

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.

 

[timbitca]

Unfortunately won't be able to make this year. Life gets in the way.

Same for me. Really wanted to make it, but financially it just doesn't make sense.

Still have to pay half of my golf membership, and just bought a new-to-me truck as my car was literally falling apart. Wanted to get the golf paid off before the car thing got in the way but such is life.

I need to take up knitting instead of golf and cars, might be cheaper.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

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.

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.

 

[Rob]

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).

No doubt playing on the larger ice surface at home had an impact on crashing out so early in the last two tournaments.

It could be an advantage if they ever decide to host.

 

[AUS Fan]

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.

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.

It's an apples to oranges comparison, but there are a small number of "elite" teams. UNB is obviously #1, but MCG can be considered based on the stats you posted.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Bob Stauffer continually tells me that was the best CIS/USports game that he got to broadcast / attended.

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.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

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.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

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.

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.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

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.

My take too…those are the only three I consider.

 

[dm8895]

Easily the best university game I have ever seen.

Best recent game I’ve seen was UQTR-Alberta.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Best recent game I’ve seen was UQTR-Alberta.

Don’t think it’s considered “recent” anymore…but the 2016 X/Saskatchewan triple OT semi-final in Halifax is right up there too.

 

[dm8895]

Don’t think it’s considered “recent” anymore…but the 2016 X/Saskatchewan triple OT semi-final in Halifax is right up there too.

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.

 

[AUS Fan]

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.

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.

 

[dm8895]

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.

No I 100% agree with you.
I’ve watch multiple NHL games a night since childhood and never had “a team” , I started “cheering” for Edmonton because McDavid is hockey porn but if he got traded I’d just start watching whatever team… Basically all my NHL viewing has been from a neutral standpoint .

Hockey as a neutral observer is honestly as fun if not more when you understand the game…
The only team at any level I’ve actually cheered for is UNB and that’s 99% because I grew up going through their hockey programs and being coached by the staff so I felt some connection but beyond that I just watch hockey because I like hockey.

 

[MeHateHe]

Is Mount Royal the first school to appear in both the CCAA nationals and the USport Nationals? Has UPEI been to the USport Nationals?

 

[Rob]

Is Mount Royal the first school to appear in both the CCAA nationals and the USport Nationals? Has UPEI been to the USport Nationals?

Yes, I believe you are right. CCAA haven't held a national hockey championship since 2001. Mount Royal were the champions.

As for UPEI, they have only been at the Usport Nationals when they were hosts in 2023

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

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.

National final 2010
That SMU vs Alberta overtime game in Thunder Bay, was also a barn burner!

 

[Rob]

Really curious what the attendance will be tomorrow night for the Ottawa v UNB game? I'm going to be optimistic here and say 4000. Maybe not all paid tickets. There should be plenty of students.

 

[dm8895]

Really curious what the attendance will be tomorrow night for the Ottawa v UNB game? I'm going to be optimistic here and say 4000. Maybe not all paid tickets. There should be plenty of students.

I’m going to guess under 2000

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

Last year topped out at 16-1700 for the TMU/UNB game. I can see a little bit more for tomorrow night.

 

[RED ARMY EAST]

Imo, It's a toss up between Mount Royal and Saskatchewan. Both teams are hungry and battle tested.
With Mount Royal, it took three years of playoff disappointment before getting over the hump and knocking off the UofA. I expect them to advance to the semis. I think both teams are riding a lot of energy.