Men’s Hockey: Weekend Update

By Darren Friesen

For the first time this season the University of Calgary men’s hockey team can quit playing musical goaltenders and go with the one player that has shown any sign of consistency.

"All year, we haven’t been getting the level of goaltending that we needed," stated Head Coach Tim Bothwell. "We’ve bent over backwards to give them every chance, but both Nilsson and Rideout just haven’t gotten it done."

Thus, the U of C turned to third-string goalie Aaron Baker. One used to find Baker sitting in the stands; however, after only two weekends of play, Baker has worked himself into the starting position.

As a result of the goaltending shift, the Dinos were able to get their first point of the new year when they squared off against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds last Friday in Vancouver.

Calgary’s big line of Matt Holmes, Ronnie Grimmard and Colin Embley got both goals and led the team to a 2-2 tie.

Saturday night, Baker once again got the start, and for good reason. He stopped 22 UBC shots to earn the shutout and gave the Dinos their first victory of 2001 and two much-need points.

With the University of Alberta out front in the CIAU West standings, it’s going to be Lethbridge and Calgary fighting for second place. At this point, the Dinos and Pronghorns are separated by two points with a head-to-head matchup remaining.

The Dinos will face the University of Manitoba Bisons this weekend at Father David Bauer Arena.