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24 WHL Grads Lead University Of Alberta Golden Bears To 13th National Title

Published on March 24, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB - The Western Hockey League congratulates the University of Alberta Golden Bears on capturing their 13th National title. The Golden Bears 2007-08 men's hockey roster consists of 29 players, 24 of which are WHL graduates. After a one year absence, the University of Alberta Golden Bears returned to the Canadian University National Championships for the 11th time in 12 seasons. The return to the University Cup marked the University of Alberta's 32nd appearance at the National Championship with the hopes of obtaining the institutions 13th National title.

In a tightly contested University Cup final on Sunday, March 23rd in Moncton, New Brunswick, the University of Alberta Golden Bears defeated last season's Champions, the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds, 3-2. Golden Bears captain and Moose Jaw Warriors alumnus, Harlan Anderson hoisted the coveted 2008 University Cup Championship trophy while Bears second year forward and Tri-City Americans alumnus Ian McDonald was named the 2008 University Cup MVP.

Through the WHL - Canada West partnership, hockey players that participate in the WHL and then carry their careers into the Canada West Conference are eligible to receive Western Canada's Premiere Hockey Scholarship. All Canada West University hockey programs have developed their own athletic financial awards to further enhance the overall assistance for WHL players. The Canada West Universities financial assistance supports hockey student athletes by offering awards and scholarships that cover additional education expenses. This, combined with the WHL Scholarship which includes a player's tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, makes the WHL - Canada West joint scholarship equivalent to any other offer available in North America today.

With the formalization of Western Canada's Premiere Hockey Scholarship the WHL will continue to be the leading supplier of talent to Canada West hockey schools, helping institutions achieve their goal of a University Cup title.

MONCTON, NB - Ian McDonald of Edmonton scored the game-winner with eight minutes and 27 seconds left in regulation as the second-seeded Alberta Golden Bears edged the defending national champion UNB Varsity Reds 3-2 Sunday night to claim their record 13th CIS men's hockey title in front of 4,712 at the Moncton Coliseum.

Cavendish University Cup website: www.cisport.ca/e/championships/m_hockey/2008

The Golden Bears (2-1), who came out of a three-way tie in Pool B to earn a ticket to the gold-medal final, have now captured the University Cup in each of their last three appearances. They were returning to the tournament after a one-year absence following back-to-back championships at home at Edmonton in 2005 and 2006.

Alberta now has a 4-3 all-time record against UNB at the championship, including a 5-4 double-overtime win at Saskatoon in 2000, the only previous time the rivals had met in the title match.

"I'm really proud of these guys. This is an incredible feeling obviously," said Alberta head coach Eric Thurston, who was leading his troops to a second title in three seasons behind the bench.

"UNB is just an incredible team, they've got a great organization. I said to (UNB head coach MacDougall) Gardiner after the game that we need to have a best-of-seven series because university hockey at this level is just great."

The top-seeded and two-time CIS champion V-Reds (2-1), who were crowned a year ago following a 3-2 win in extra time over host Moncton, settle for silver for the fourth time.

It marked the first time the top two seeds met in the championship game since the tournament returned to a six-team, two-pool format in 1997-98.

"If they told me last September that we were going to get 42 shots in the national final and only give up 25, and we'd be tied 2-2 going into the third, which is usually our best period, I would have spent some serious money on that," said MacDougall.

"But that's the way it is the hockey world. Full compliments to our opponents. They found a way and it's usually one thing that makes the difference when you get two great teams fighting for a national championship."

McDonald scored his tournament-leading fourth goal 22 seconds after defenceman David Bowman of St. Catharines, Ont., was sent to the box for interference.

The six-foot-three, 210-pound sophomore was named University Cup MVP he led all scorers on the weekend with six points. He assisted on Tim Krymusa's (Morden, Man.) game-tying marker 2:34 into the middle period.

"It was a case of Johnny-on-the-spot. The puck hit the goalie and bounced right on my stick. I was in the right place at the right time," said McDonald, who buried a rebound on an Eric Hunter (Oakbank, Man.) shot from up close.

"It is extra sweet, coming into this game as the underdog. We knew we had a good team but we knew they did too," McDonald continued. "Both teams played well tonight and the game could have gone either way. It just happened that we got a few bounces go our way."

Brian Woolger of Edmonton also scored for the Bears, who erased a pair of one-goal deficits en route to victory.

Former all-Canadian and CIS rookie of the year Aaron Sorochan, also from Edmonton, was named Alberta player of the game following a spectacular 40-save effort.

UNB out-shot the Bears 42-25 on the night, including a 16-6 margin in the final stanza.

"They (UNB) had some good opportunities. My whole mind-set was keep my eyes on the puck at all times," Sorochan said. "Tonight I was just mentally plugged and it showed with a couple of big saves early for the guys, and they scored for me late."

Justin DaCosta of Mississauga, Ont., and CIS player of the year Rob Hennigar of Jordan, Ont., found the back of the net for the AUS champion V-Reds, who came into the duel riding a 21-game winning streak and sporting a 39-2 overall mark against CIS opponents this season.

Sophomore Michael Ouzas of Hamilton made 20 saves in the loss. The second-team all-Canadian entered the contest with a 5-0 career record at the University Cup dating back to last year, having allowed only four goals in his first five starts at Nationals.

Alberta went 1-of-2 with the man advantage, while UNB was blanked on two opportunities.

The game was tied at 1-1 following an action-packed, hard-hitting opening period.

UNB got on the board first at 4:23 when freshman Kevin Henderson of Toronto fed DaCosta with a perfect pass from behind the net.

Alberta tied it five minutes later on a nice give-and-go between Woolger and sophomore Chad Klassen of Saskatoon, who came out of the corner with the puck.

The V-Reds came close to regaining the lead with just over two minutes remaining before the first intermission but Sorochan made a spectacular blocker save off a one-timer by AUS rookie of the year Hunter Tremblay of Timmins, Ont., who almost converted a nifty pass from Hennigar.

UNB went ahead 2-1 just 34 seconds into the middle stanza when a Hennigar pass destined for Tremblay deflected off an Alberta defenceman and wound up behind Sorochan.

The Bears needed exactly two minutes to retaliate.

McDonald won his battle along the boards and found Krymusa all alone in front.

Sorochan stole the show the rest of the second period, stopping senior Nathan O'Nabigon of Longlac, Ont., on a clear breakaway from centre ice with 14 minutes left and stoning Tremblay on a two-on-one with 5:30 left, during an Alberta power play.

Sorochan came up big again early in the third frame when he juggled a deflected puck away from the open cage, then extended his left pad to pilfer Robert Pearce of Fredericton.

Tremblay came inches away from sending the contest to overtime when he jumped on a turnover and fired a drive off the left post from the high slot with 1:40 left in regulation.

GAME NOTES: Alberta becomes the first team to fly to the University Cup tournament and win since UNB in 1998 at Saskatoon? UNB had been held to two goals only twice all year?

TOURNAMENT HONOURS

Cavendish University Cup MVP: Ian McDonald, Alberta

Tournament All-Stars:

Goaltender: Michael Ouzas

Defense: Harlan Anderson

Defense: David Bowman

Forward: Ian McDonald

Forward: Rob Hennigar

Forward: Guillaume Demers

SCORING SUMMARY

Alberta 3, UNB 2

FIRST PERIOD

SCORING:

1. UNB Justin DaCosta (1) (Kevin Henderson, Denny Johnston), 4:23

2. ALB Brian Woolger (1) (Chad Klassen, Dylan Stanley), 9:12

PENALTIES:

No penalties.

SECOND PERIOD

SCORING:

3. UNB Rob Hennigar (1) (unassisted), 0:34.

4. ALB Tim Krymusa (2) (Ian McDonald, Eric Hunter), 2:34

PENALTIES:

Richard Hamula (ALB) checking-to-the-head minor, 10-minute misconduct, 6:01; Kevin Henderson (UNB) closing hand on puck, 13:05.

THIRD PERIOD

SCORING:

5. ALB Ian McDonald (4) (Tim Krymusa, Eric Hunter), 11:33 PP

PENALTIES:

David Bowman (UNB) interference, 11:09; Tyler Metcalfe (ALB) tripping, 14:49; David Bowman (UNB) checking-from-behind minor, game misconduct, 18:15; Ian McDonald (ALB) checking-from-behind minor, game misconduct, 18:15.

GOALS (by period)

ALB: 1-1-1:3

UNB: 1-1-0:2

SHOTS ON GOAL (by period)

ALB: 9-10-6:25

UNB: 14-12-16:42

POWER PLAY:

ALB: 1-2

UNB: 0-2

GOALTENDERS

ALB - Aaron Sorochan (W, 2-1, 42 shots, 40 saves, 2 GA, 60:00)

UNB - Michael Ouzas (L, 2-1, 25 shots, 22 saves, 3 GA, 58:15)

UNB - Empty net (0 shots, 0 saves, 0 GA, 1:45)

PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

ALB: Aaron Sorochan

UNB: Hunter Tremblay

REFEREE: François Fortin

LINESMEN: Mac MacPherson, Jeff Hopkins

ATTENDANCE: 4,712

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times LOCAL: Atlantic Time)

All games video webcast: www.cisport.ca/e/championships/m_hockey/2008

Thursday, March 20

Pool A #1: UNB 6, Brock 1

Pool B #1: Moncton 2, Alberta 1 (OT)

Friday, March 21

Pool A #2: Saskatchewan 4, Brock 1

Pool B #2: Alberta 7, McGill 3

Saturday, March 22

Pool A #3: UNB 4, Saskatchewan 0

Pool B #3: McGill 3, Moncton 0

Sunday, March 23

Final: Alberta 3, UNB 2

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008


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