A date with archrival Alberta

Nov 1, 2023 | 3:27 PM

The 8 and 0 start to the 23-24 Canada West hockey season is welcome however Huskie men’s hockey coach Brandin Cote is squarely focused on October 3^rd and 4^th. Saskatchewan visits the Alberta Golden Bears in what will be an intense series. The 5-2 and 1 Bears have suffered two losses to UBC and lost to Mount Royal earlier this season, but the Bears have load of talent.

Alberta, who had a bye last weekend, defeated the defending Canada West champion Calgary Dinos on October 20^th and 21^st. “They (Golden Bears) are a very similar team to us as to how they want to play the game”, said Cote. “We have to be disciplined.”

Saskatchewan also gets a boost at centre entering the weekend. Second year Huskie, Liam Keeler, from Edmonton, will return to the Huskie line up after suffering a facial injury in the opening weekend of the season against Manitoba. He was third in team scoring last season with 25 points in 27 games.

The Huskies have given up just 10 goals in their first eight contests. Newcomer Cole Jordan has nicely settled into his role as a number one defenseman playing a key role in a transition game that has been very good. Cote says his team is giving up some chances from the opposition’s rush however goaltender Roddy Ross has been spectacular with a Canada West conference best 1.15 goals against average in six starts.

Despite the unblemished record, there is room for improvement according to Cote. “I’d still like to clean up some of the turnovers at the opposing teams’ blue line”, he said. “I’d like our team to make better decisions with the puck when we are entering their zone. That’s going to be really important going forward.”

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Cote is 0 and 2 as head coach of the Huskies in Alberta and has noticed there is a certain home ice advantage the Bears utilize when visiting teams arrive at Clare Drake Arena. “They make it as difficult as they can for the opposing teams to come in there”, said Cote. “It’s a throwback building. It has the dim lights and all that kind of stuff. I love it. I love that atmosphere.”

The November 3^rd and 4th games both start at 7:00pm and can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app.

Huskie men’s hockey coach, Brandin Cote, chats with Wray Morrison

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X/Twitter: @wraymorrison

by Wray Morrison

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A date with archrival Alberta

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