CIS Men's Hockey Top 10 (#5): Redmen remain perfect
OTTAWA (CIS) - The University of Alberta Golden Bears remain at No. 1 for the fifth time in as many CIS men's hockey media polls this season.
For the fifth week in a row, the Bears (9-1-0) share first-place consideration with the No. 2 McGill Redmen (12-0-0) and No. 3 New Brunswick Varsity Reds (8-2-0). Alberta received nine of the 18 available first-place votes and 171 points this week from the national media panel, compared to seven No. 1 nods and 159 points for McGill, and two votes for top spot and 145 points for UNB.
Positions four through eight also remain unchanged in the new poll with Western Ontario (10-0-1), Manitoba (6-2-2), reigning University Cup champion Saint Mary's (5-3-0), Saskatchewan (6-4-0) and UPEI (6-3-1) following in order.
Calgary (6-4-2) moves up one spot to No. 9, while Concordia (9-3-0) returns to the Top 10 after a two-week absence, at No. 10.
No. 1 Alberta travelled to Regina this past weekend and returned home with a pair of victories over the Cougars (4-8-0), 5-0 and 4-2. The Golden Bears now prepare for a much-anticipated two-game set versus No. 7 Saskatchewan in Edmonton, on Friday and Saturday.
No. 2 McGill swept a two-game series against Ryerson (4-9-0), 5-1 and 6-2. The Redmen extended their unblemished mark to 17-0 overall under new head coach Kelly Nobes, which ties a 74-year-old school record for the longest win streak in team history, dating back to the 1936-37 season.
No. 3 UNB dominated StFX (4-5-1) 6-1 on Friday night, but fell 3-1 to defending national champ Saint Mary's on Saturday in Halifax.
CIS MEN'S HOCKEY TOP 10 (#5)
Voting is based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis, with a 1st place vote worth 10 points. The CIS Men's Ice Hockey Top Ten Committee is made up of media members from across Canada.
(regular season record) / votes (first-place votes) / (previous rankings)
1. Alberta (9-1-0) / 171 pts (9) / (1)
2. McGill (12-0-0) / 159 (7) / (2)
3. UNB
(8-2-0) / 145 (2) / (3)
4. Western Ontario (10-0-1) / 132 / (4)
5. Manitoba (6-2-2) / 91 / (5)
6. Saint Mary's (5-3-0) / 87 / (6)
7. Saskatchewan (6-4-0) / 60 / (7)
8. UPEI (6-3-1) / 56 / (8)
9. Calgary (6-4-2) / 31 / (10)
10. Concordia (9-3-0) / 29 / (NR)
Other teams receiving votes: Lakehead (14), Acadia (4), StFX (3),
Carleton (3), Ottawa (2), Wilfrid Laurier (2), Waterloo (1).
-CIS-
For more information contact:
Michel Bélanger
Manager, Communications & Media Relations
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Off: (613) 562-5670 ext. 25
Cell: (613) 447-6334
Fax: (613) 562-5669
belanger [at] universitysport.ca