Looking to Declaw the Cougars

The Pandas and Golden Bears will play the University of Regina Cougars this weekend. Both teams are coming of a successful weekend where they swept the University of Calgary Dinos.

The Pandas defeated the Dinos by a score of 2-1 on Friday night. Saturday night, they won by a score of 2-0. Goaltender Kristen Chamberlin recorded her first shut out in Canada West competition. The Pandas scored four goals over the weekend; each goal came from a different player. The Pandas have embraced a philosophy of scoring by committee and it’s been on display so far this season. The depth of the team has remained one of its greatest strengths of the team.

The Pandas will host the Regina Cougars at Clare Drake Arena on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The Cougars, currently third in the Canada West conference, had a strong start to season. They faltered a little last weekend against a tough UBC team. The Cougars top scorer, Jaycee Magwood, has four goals and six points this season. With a little less than a quarter of Regina’s goals, Magwood will be a player worth watching over the weekend. Jane Kish has also been a virtual wall for Regina in goal. She has a 0.957 save percentage and a 1.33 goal against average.

The Pandas Taylor Kezama has six points; Amy Boucher has five points, including four goals. Both players will be players to watch. Finally, there’s Alex Poznikoff. The Pandas top scorer from last season has gotten off to a slow start, but this series is one where her offensive production may pick up.

For the Pandas, speed and puck control remain key. Poznikoff is able to produce both reliable. The Pandas will be looking to use their depth to create opportunities and pressure the Cougars into making a mistake.

The Golden Bears will travel to Regina to face the Cougars. After two thrilling games, with 7-5 and 3-2 victories, the Golden Bears put the only perfect record in the Canada West on the line.

The Regina Cougars have yet to win a game in regulation. They have just one overtime victory in six games to show for their efforts. While the season hasn’t reached the point where Regina isn’t in the mix to find their way into a playoff spot, something will have to change for the Cougars soon if they’re to salvage the season.

The Cougars are exactly the kind of team that looks completely outmatched but is capable of a surprise or two. The Bears may be tempted to take the Cougars less seriously than a higher ranked team like the DInos, but that would be a mistake.

The Golden Bears have a formidable team with a good deal of offensive depth. For example, Dylan Bredo managed three goals and an assist against the Dinos last weekend. He earned first star of the week honours in the Canada West. Joining Bredo are offensive powerhouses Luke Philip, Stephane Legault, and Trevor Cox. All three are currently in the top ten in the Canada West scoring race.

The Bears are a team with the ability to change the tempo and flow of a game. The Bears will have an opportunity to display these skills against the Cougars. If they can control the puck and keep the pressure of the Cougars defense, they will have a good deal of success against a weaker team.

The Golden Bears and Pandas have a bye week following facing off with Regina. They will return to action on Friday, November 10th.