Game Preview: Alberta vs Acadia - U SPORTS Quarterfinals

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) The last time the Axemen met Alberta was at the 2017 University Cup in quarterfinal play where Acadia prevailed in a 4-1 win over the No. 1 Golden Bears.

A young Alberta team then, has a year of experience under their belt, while the Axemen have several new faces on the roster but return an important handful of veterans.

The Bears posted a 21-4-1 record this past regular season with losses to Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Calgary and UBC along with an overtime loss to Manitoba. Sweeping the Mount Royal Cougars in the best of three quarterfinal series, the Bears captured the Canada West Championship in two games in the championship best three series against Saskatchewan earning the No. 2 seeding in this weekend's U SPORTS championship.

The Axemen finished in third place in the AUS standings with an 18-10-2 record and a conference that had four teams including Acadia in the U SPORTS Top Ten rankings this season – three of four are University Cup participants (StFX, UNB and Acadia).

The Axemen enter the University Cup through the back door as an AUS Consolation series winner – third AUS team - after knocking off the Saint Mary's Huskies in a two game sweep of a best of three series. The Axemen won a quarterfinal best of three series in two games against Dalhousie and lost a best of five semi-final series to StFX in five games.

The Measuring Tape…

Alberta Golden Bears:

• With a roster featuring four rookies, 12 sophomores, and just one fifth-year, Alberta captured the Canada West Championship with semi-final and final three game series sweeps.
• Competition – Saskatchewan was a U SPORTS Top 10 team (No. 3 to No. 5 all season long), Calgary was on and off the Top 10 rankings.
• Ranked No. 1 eight weeks of 18 weeks. Lowest ranking was fourth for two weeks.
• Luke Philp – lead Canada West in points with 40 in 28 games.
• Top two goal scorers in Canada West – Steven Owre (17 goals) and Jamie Crooks (18 goals)
• Top Canada West Goaltender – Brendan Burke – 2.03 GAA.
• Top team on the Powerplay and fourth in Penalty Killing in the Canada West Conference.
• Top team in goals per game in U SPORTS with 4.71 goals per game.
• Top team in goals against average of 2.15 goals against per game.

Acadia Axemen:

• With a roster of seven rookies, four sophmores, three juniors and 10 seniors, the Axemen finished third overall in standings and postseason play as winners of the consolation series.
• Competition – UNB, StFX and Saint Mary's all U SPORTS Top 10 ranked teams.  
  • UNB – 8 weeks at No. 1.
  • StFX – No. 1 team for 1 week, in top five all season long.
  • SMU – 15 of 18 weeks in U SPORTS Top 10 rankings – highest sixth.
• Ranked in all 18 week Top 10 rankings. Highest – sixth (8 weeks), lowest – tenth (1 week).
• Stephen Harper – lead AUS points with 46 in 30 games. Kyle Farrell was third leading goal scorer with 17 goals.
• Three goal scorers in AUS Top 10 (#3 Farrell, #8 Boston Leier and #9 Stephen Harper)
• Third AUS top goaltender Robert Steeves with 0.907 Saves percentage
• Third in goals per game in the AUS with 3.90 GPG
• Fourth in goals against in the AUS with 3.07 GAA
• Seventh in U SPORTS goals per game average and seventeenth in goals against average.

Nothing is being taken for granted this year by either team. A "one and done" tournament, both teams will have to be at their best. Last year's Acadia win over No. 1 Alberta will play no role in this year's championship quarterfinal game.

"We are very excited to be here, as a group being here last year helps prepare you, but it certainly provides no guarantees. The competition is always extremely high at this championship tournament," noted Acadia head coach Darren Burns.

"We need to focus on what makes us successful, hard work play with speed and keep the game simple. We know Alberta is an extremely strong team and we will have to be at our best to beat them," concluded Burns.

The Axemen take on Alberta in quarterfinal play on Friday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. (AST) and can be viewed at www.sportscanada.tv (pay per view webcast). Semi-finals and Finals are broadcasted by Sportsnet on Saturday and Sunday.