Though many Canadians lament over the current lockout in the National Hockey League, not all hockey has come to a standstill. Suddenly, university teams and minor leagues are getting all the attention from fans in need of a hockey fix. For the Dinos men's hockey team, this interest could not come at a better time.

"This is the best team I've had since I've been here," Head Coach Scott Atkinson said bluntly.

The historically mediocre University of Calgary women's hockey team surpassed "Our" Lord's expectations by reaching the Alberta College Athletic Conference final during their playoff run last March. Following a heartbreak loss to the Mount Royal College Cougars, Head Coach Julie Healy had only one comment regarding this season.

"This is where we ended; we start from here next year."

Talent
Offensively the contributions by the departing players were great, highlighted
by team captain Sean Robertson finishing third in the league in points. Fifth-year
vets Ken McKay and Sheldon Nedjelski gave the Dinos a consistent attack throughout
the season.

There were injuries that affected the blueline this year, however, leaving the team shy a stopper who could shut down the other team's top forwards on a consistent basis.

Coaching

Ahoy all, it is the greatest time of the year yet again. We've survived the oh-so-painful two days after the end of the season and the chase for the Cup is on.

What follows are the opinions of two sad souls who care way too much about that game with the sticks and rubber thingy.

Toronto vs. Ottawa

What an odd concept, the Calgary Flames as trade deadline buyers. The first week of March is often a time when Flames fans try to figure out who is headed out of town.

Not this year, however.

The Flames are firmly entrenched in the playoff race and are able to look to down-and-out clubs for a potential deadline pick-up.

Let's examine potentially available players the Flames may target.

Curtis Brown, Buffalo Sabres

This last weekend for the men's hockey squad was one mallet stroke away from a complete gong show. Against the University of Manitoba Bisons, they earned only one of a possible four points and accumulated 99 minutes in penalties over two games, so it is not surprising the Dinos no longer find themselves in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport top 10.

Although Halloween came and went for another year without incident, the men's hockeysaurs offence rose from the dead this past weekend. Bypassing the jack o'lantern, they chose to light the goal lamp, 6-3 and 3-1 over the University of Manitoba Bisons. Previously ranked seventh in the country, the Bisons looked anything but top 10 as they were dominated by a Dinos squad with something to prove.

Ahh... Darryl Sutter hockey, almost as exciting as vacuuming.

The 5-5-0-1 Flames fell 3-0 to the undermanned Detroit Red Wings Tue., Nov. 3. It was one of those games the teams wished they hadn't played and the fans wished they hadn't watched. It was boring, unimaginative hockey--something Flames fans should get used to, even with the heightened expectations surrounding this year's team.

After being swept two weekends ago and splitting games Oct. 24-25 on the coast, hopefully something will jolt the underachieving men's hockeysaurs before they dig themselves into a crater too big to crawl out of.

Losing to the University of Alberta Golden Bears is acceptable, and somewhat expected. However to nearly drop two games to the lowly University of British Columbia Thunderbirds is something that should trigger the leaders of this team to promptly right this ship.

The women's hockey Dinos were twiced thrashed this weekend, losing 3-0 against both the Mount Royal College Cougars and the Grant MacEwan College Griffins.

Friday's game against the 2002-03 champion Cougars, who are presently tied with Grant MacEwan atop the league, showed the Dinos the kind of competition that they can expect this season. The Cougars scored midway through the first, amidst a barrage of shots on net. The Dinos tried to answer back with a few quick breaks but couldn't capitalize.