Head Coach Scott Atkinson wanted consistency from his Dinos men's hockey team. Despite some strong outings and individual efforts, the Dinos have not yet won three games in a row. They had a chance to achieve that goal with games against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Nov. 18-19.

"We have a good bunch of guys that really want to be successful," Atkinson said following their last victory Sat., Nov. 12. "But right now we're struggling for consistency."

It was a strong week for the Dinos men's hockey team as they took three of four possible points from the University of Regina Cougars Nov. 11-12.

On Friday, both the Dinos and Cougars came out with almost no firepower; shots were 7-5 for Regina early on. The only dangerous scoring chance went to the Cougars in the form of a two-on-one, resulting in the lone goal of the first period.

After a week off, the Dinos traveled to Winnipeg with a 3-2-1 record for a pair of games against the University of Manitoba Bisons Nov. 4-5.

Both teams came out firing Friday night, with 35 shots on net in the first period alone, but no one managed to put the puck behind the goaltenders. The Bisons finally opened scoring in the second period with an even strength goal by Steve Haddon.

Things didn't seem to be clicking on another weekend for the Dinos women's hockey team. The Dinos were at Red Deer College facing off against the Queens Thu., Oct. 27, returning home for a rematch Sat., Oct. 29.

The Dinos got off to a slow start Thursday and, after giving the Queens a few power-play goals, they were down by three heading into the third. However, the Dinos weren't about to roll over and die, waking up in the last period.

The Dinos women's hockey team's pre-season ended with a tourney at the University of Saskatchewan where things were looking up. With a 2-1 third period loss to the hometown Huskies and a hard-fought game against the University of Regina Cougars, the Dinos were blossoming into a meadow of beautiful flowers.

Alas, the fall's frost hit with a loss to the younger, stronger Saskatchewan U18 team, wilting their petals. But back in Calgary, a Chinook promised milder weather.

It was a less than pretty week for the Dinos men's hockey team as the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns not only out-played them on the ice, but attracted 700 more fans than the Dinos in a home-and-home series Oct. 14-15.

After winning both of their games against Regina the previous week, the Dinos went into the series atop the Canada West standings.

The Dinos men's hockey team began their regular season on the road Oct. 7-8, playing back-to-back games against the University of Regina Cougars. This turned out to be a great road trip as the Dinos came home with all four possible points in hand.

Nowadays, it seems like you simply can't watch NHL coverage and enjoy a beer without hearing some mumbo-jumbo about the salary cap, nonsense whining, rule changes and then some more whining. So, you turn your attention to the major junior leagues, hoping to watch some uncontroversial hockey. Then some guy decides to attack his 16-year-old teammate, knocking three teeth out in an incident that has 'lawsuit' written all over it.

Now what?

This year's Dinos women's hockey team is looking at more change than a condom dispenser in rez. Last year's assistant coach, Dean Holden, has taken over the head coach position and is excited about the upcoming year. With only nine returning players and a greater commitment to off-ice training, it's going to be a whole new team out there.

We're all human here at the University of Calgary. The return of the NHL has touched us all--saving some of us from touching ourselves. And even though pre-season didn't used to be this exciting, this year it has been a distraction big enough for your girlfriend to overlook the fact that the ring you proposed with came out of the Cracker Jack box she just opened to eat while watching the game.