At the completion of the 2013-14 Canada West conference regular season, the Manitoba Bisons men's hockey team clinched fourth in the Canada West standings on the last day of the season with a 12-12-4 record and now will host the fifth place Mount Royal Cougars (11-14-3) in the Canada West Quarter Final best-of-three playoff series on the February 21-23 weekend.
The best-of-three playoff series starts on Friday, February 21 with puck drop at 7 p.m. CT for game one then game two on Saturday, February 22 at 7 p.m. CT and, if necessary, game three will be played on Sunday, February 23 at 3 p.m. CT. All playoff contests will be played at the Wayne Fleming Arena at Max Bell Centre (U of Manitoba campus).
Earlier this regular season, Manitoba played Mount Royal four times and have a 3-1 record against the Cougars (On the road: W 1-0 on Oct. 18/13 and L 3-2 on Oct. 19/13; at home: W 5-2 on Jan. 10/14 and W 5-3 on Jan. 11/14). In the second half of this season, the Herd had a 5-4-3 record and secured points at home in eight of the last 12 contests.
Mount Royal entered Canada West play in the 2012-13 season and makes their first post-season appearance this season.
Last season in the conference playoffs, the Bisons swept Regina 2-0 at home in the quarterfinal best-of-three series and then lost 2-1 in semifinal best-of-three series at Saskatchewan.
In Canada West 2013-14 scoring, third year forward Aaron Lewadniuk (14 goals, 15 assists) led the team and tied for 11th in Canada West scoring with 29 points. Second year forward Jesse Paradis (10g, 17a) was tied for 16th in conference and second on the team with 27 points. Lewadniuk finished tied for sixth in conference goals with 14 while third year Brendan Rowinski was tied for 11th in Canada West with 18 assists.
Jordan DePape (10g, 14a) ended up tied for second in Canada West rookie scoring with 24 points while rookie defenceman Luke Paulsen (3g, 9a) was tied for 15th in Canada West defenceman scoring with 12 points. Goalie Joe Caligiuri finished seventh in Canada West with 3.07 Goals Against Average, seventh in Save Pct. at .899, tied for first with three shutouts and also tied for fourth with 11 conference wins.
Heading into the playoffs, there are six graduating Bison players on the roster (Darren Bestland, Luke Cain, Joe Caligiuri, Dane Crowley, Ian Duval and Jeremy Schappert).
Bison men's hockey - 2014 Canada West Quarter Final playoff series home schedule
Date Game Time Place
Fri, February 21 Game 1: Bisons vs. Mt. Royal at 7 p.m. Wayne Fleming Arena
Sat, February 22 Game 2: Bisons vs. Mt. Royal at 7 p.m. Wayne Fleming Arena
*Sun, February 23 Game 3: Bisons vs. Mt. Royal at 3 p.m. Wayne Fleming Arena
* if necessary
Quarter Final Ticket Prices: $12 adults; $7 student and seniors and children under six are free.
