FEATURED POLL
See Results Herd head to next round of playoffs
Written by: Brant Batters
February 23rd, 2008 10:00pm
WINNIPEG – The University of Manitoba Bisons return to the playoffs was a successful one as they swept the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds two games to none, by doubling up the T-Birds Saturday evening 4-2.
The Bisons got goals from Riley Dudar, Myles Rumsey, Mike Hellyer and Chris Falloon on way to their victory. Craig Lineker and Kevin Seibel replied for the T-Birds.
“We’re happy to get out of tonight, for sure. I don’t think we wanted to go to tomorrow,” said Bisons head coach Don MacGillivray. “UBC played a much tougher game tonight and I thought our discipline was the difference in the game.”
The T-Birds accounted for 106-minutes in penalties compared to the Bisons 16.
“We scored on a couple powerplays and then at the end of the game when they had some five-on-three’s, we did a real good job killing penalties. Obviously our goaltending was good tonight. We’re happy to be moving on,” said MacGillivray.
The Bisons will now go on to face either the No. 2-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears or the No. 6-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
“We know whoever we play is going to be a tough opponent but we’re happy to be moving on.” Bisons’ netminder Krister Toews had a much busier evening in game two, turning aside 32-shots to earn the win and the series sweep. “Yesterday was kind of weird,” said Toews. “We played really well and I don’t think they necessarily played their best game. Today was definitely more of a battle and I think it was more rewarding because of it. The harder you work the better it feels at the end of the day.” UBC scored the first goal of the game, and their first goal of the series at 10:56 of the opening period. The T-Birds were controlling the play in the Bisons end when Lineker’s point shot hit something in front and dribbled through the pads of Toews. The Herd were able to take control of the game when the T-Birds got into penalty trouble in the second period. Manitoba scored four goals in less then ten minutes while UBC took eight minor penalties and a ten-minute misconduct. First off, Dudar scored on a one-timer from Falloon during a five-on-three opportunity for the Bisons. That got Manitoba on the board at 4:30 of the second period. Four minutes later Rumsey got an even strength goal when he followed up a play created by Falloon. Falloon broke into the T-Birds end, dropping a pass for Rumsey in the slot that he buried behind UBC netminder Francois Thuot. Thuot complained that he was interfered with by the Bisons’ Nick Cowan but his complaint fell on deaf ears and the Herd went up 2-1 at 8:26. The T-Birds got another bad break when Hellyer’s centering pass redirected off Seibel skate and into the back of the net. Hellyer’s goal at 11:48 came on a delayed penalty call against UBC. Then on another five-on-three opportunities for the Bisons, Falloon’s shot from the left of Thuot was tipped past him by a T-Birds defenceman for a 4-1 Manitoba lead. Falloon’s goal came the 13:43 mark of the middle period. UBC managed to halve the deficit before the end of the second, when Seibel was able to make amends for his earlier mistake. From behind the net, Lance Morrison hit the pinching Seibel with a pass, and the UBC defenceman was able to beat Toews. That made the score 4-2 with 1:21 left in the second. In the third period, the T-Birds had their chance to climb back into the game, with two five-on-three opportunities in the final ten minutes, but the Bisons were able to hold them off.
“We know whoever we play is going to be a tough opponent but we’re happy to be moving on.” Bisons’ netminder Krister Toews had a much busier evening in game two, turning aside 32-shots to earn the win and the series sweep. “Yesterday was kind of weird,” said Toews. “We played really well and I don’t think they necessarily played their best game. Today was definitely more of a battle and I think it was more rewarding because of it. The harder you work the better it feels at the end of the day.” UBC scored the first goal of the game, and their first goal of the series at 10:56 of the opening period. The T-Birds were controlling the play in the Bisons end when Lineker’s point shot hit something in front and dribbled through the pads of Toews. The Herd were able to take control of the game when the T-Birds got into penalty trouble in the second period. Manitoba scored four goals in less then ten minutes while UBC took eight minor penalties and a ten-minute misconduct. First off, Dudar scored on a one-timer from Falloon during a five-on-three opportunity for the Bisons. That got Manitoba on the board at 4:30 of the second period. Four minutes later Rumsey got an even strength goal when he followed up a play created by Falloon. Falloon broke into the T-Birds end, dropping a pass for Rumsey in the slot that he buried behind UBC netminder Francois Thuot. Thuot complained that he was interfered with by the Bisons’ Nick Cowan but his complaint fell on deaf ears and the Herd went up 2-1 at 8:26. The T-Birds got another bad break when Hellyer’s centering pass redirected off Seibel skate and into the back of the net. Hellyer’s goal at 11:48 came on a delayed penalty call against UBC. Then on another five-on-three opportunities for the Bisons, Falloon’s shot from the left of Thuot was tipped past him by a T-Birds defenceman for a 4-1 Manitoba lead. Falloon’s goal came the 13:43 mark of the middle period. UBC managed to halve the deficit before the end of the second, when Seibel was able to make amends for his earlier mistake. From behind the net, Lance Morrison hit the pinching Seibel with a pass, and the UBC defenceman was able to beat Toews. That made the score 4-2 with 1:21 left in the second. In the third period, the T-Birds had their chance to climb back into the game, with two five-on-three opportunities in the final ten minutes, but the Bisons were able to hold them off.
