By Еvan Osentоn
Perhaps the Dinos were still suffering from a Christmas hangover, their veins lethargic with Wild Turkey and their stomachs slowly leaching stuffing into sweet, nutritious chyme. And perhaps they took their opponents for the conference doormat they’re so often dubbed.
Either way, the men’s hockeysaurs dropped two in a row to the lowly University of British Columbia Thunderbirds last weekend, games the Canadian Interuniversity Sport official press release called "…the season’s biggest upsets" and an outcome that is as shocking as any since the Soviets’ heroic 1942 comeback at Stalingrad. A sweep at the hands of UBC. Unthinkable. Alas, the only thing the Dinos were sweeping were their salty, salty tears from the dressing room floor following the second loss.
At least they didn’t lose by a lot. On Fri. Jan 11, the Dinos lost 2–1 in overtime, and they dropped a 5–4 decision the following evening. While CIS Player of the Week Casey Bartzen lit the Dinos up for four points over the two games, no Dino stood out with a particularly memorable effort. Well, maybe forward Trevor Segstro, whose two goals continued his fine season of late. But no one else. The losses drop Calgary from fourth in the country to eighth, and now see them drop to third in Canada West behind the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
The Dinos have a chance to redeem themselves this weekend as they play the revamped and restocked University of Manitoba Bison. The Herd cannot be taken lightly as they’ve added six new impact players since the Christmas break, and it seems to have worked. The Bisons are fresh off a stunning upset of the University of Alberta Golden Bears last weekend. Intriguing.
The games go Fri., Jan. 18 and Sat., Jan. 19 at Father David Bauer Arena. Dinos Sports Information Director Jack Neumann will give a free foot massage to the first 20 fans in attendance.