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For the third time in just four years, the Trinity Western University Bombers are the CMCHL Champions. The 5-4 victory, in what is now being described by some as the most epic game in Bombers history, was won in overtime off a redirect by Bomber’s forward David Giesbrecht.
After a nail-biting 5-4 semi-final victory over the CLA Canucks just one week prior, the second-seeded Bombers were representing TWU in the CMCHL championships as they challenged the sixth-seeded Uptown Mayhem. TWU split their regular season series with the Mayhem (1-1), with both teams scoring a combined eight goals in those contests.
The Bombers came out strong, scoring two goals; however by the first few minutes of the third period, the Mayhem had tied the game up at two. The Bombers came right back by scoring two more of their own, making it 4-2, and seemed to be on their way to victory. Yet, with time ticking down on the Mayhem, they scored less than ten seconds later and soon after another.
It almost all came crashing down on the Bombers when an Uptown forward found himself on a breakaway with just seconds left to play in the third period. With the championship title on the line, Bombers goaltender Marc Ragusin robbed the Mayhem forward with his glove.
The third period ended at a 4-4 deadlock, forcing both teams to prepare for overtime. It didn’t take long from there however, as just three minutes into the overtime period, Bomber’s defenseman Brock Grin fired a shot from his blue line position, which redirected off of his teammate David Giesbrecht’s leg and went into the back of the Mayhem goal. The Bombers won the game 5-4, and claimed their ultimate prize.
The Bombers finish the year with a regular season and playoff combined record of 20-3-1. Bombers captain Jon Adams led the team in the regular season in both goals (26) and points (51), while centerman Gareth Jones led the team in the post-season with five goals and nine points in three games played.
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April 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment
With three different sports and six different teams, there were 112 regular season games played with 186 games played overall. In other words, the 2007-2008 season brought a lot of action, and over the course of the entire school year much may be forgotten. Thus, behold, a brief recap of 2007-2008 Trinity Western University Spartans action.
The Spartans men’s soccer team had the most successful season of all of TWU’s CIS Athletics groups. The boys posted an impressive 11-2-1 record during the regular season before going on to claim Canada West Gold and fifth place at the CIS Championships at the University of British Columbia. Fifth-year midfielder Nick Perugini was named Canada West Player of the Year.
The 2007-2008 season was a very successful campaign for the women as well. The girls closed out the regular season with just three losses (9-3-2), and placed second behind the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in Canada West standings. The women went on to lose to the same UBC team in the Canada West semi-finals.
As of Feb. 26, 2008, the men are ranked third in the CIS power rankings, while the women, who are set to host the CIS Soccer Championships next year through November 6-9, 2008, are ranked tenth.
The men’s volleyball squad made the playoffs after completing their regular season with an 8-10 record, which was good for sixth place in the 10-team Canada West Conference. In the post season, they were beaten by the University of Winnipeg, who finished second in the West.
The Spartans women also lost in their first playoff series. After finishing the season with a 14-6 record, the girls faced the University of Alberta – who also finished 14-6 – in the Canada West quarter finals. After three very tight games, U of A knocked off TWU. A few weeks later, Spartans captain Saralyn Stel was named the winner of the Thérèse Quigley Award for outstanding student-athlete.
In basketball, the men finished with a 4-19 record, which was good for fifth in the Pacific division, and 12th in Canada West standings. With new coach Scott Allen on board, as well as new players Jacob Doerksen, Tonner Jackson and Louis Hurd joining the fold, the Spartans look to rebound after a disappointing 2007-2008 campaign. The Spartans women finished fifth in the Pacific division as well, with an 8-15 record. Their 16 points on the season placed them 15th overall in Canada West standings. After a very strong start to the season, in which they went 7-4 up until the end of November, the women went 1-11 from then on. With a year of experience under their belt, as well as the off-season acquisition of Nanaimo, B.C. native and Dover Bay Secondary graduate Keely Goertzen, the women look forward to the upcoming season.
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March 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
MH: As a goalie, what is the biggest difference between playing roller hockey compared to ice hockey?
MR:The speed of the game. In ice you have to move side to side a lot faster. Also, the puck is easier to lift in inline so you have to worry about the shooter going up high.
MH: Will the Green Bay Packers make the playoffs without Brett Favre?
MR: I think they can. The NFC is a really weak conference.
MH: Which team improved the most after this year’s NHL trade deadline?
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March 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Spartans men’s basketball team seems to have finally taken a turn for the better. After a season in which the team was plagued with bad news, the Spartans recently announced the hiring of their new head coach Scott Allen. The Spartans also confirmed that 6′6″ Abbotsford native Jacob Doerksen, a former CIS Championship Tournament All-Star and 2006 CIS Rookie of the Year, has committed to play for TWU for the upcoming 2008-2009 campaign. Columbia Bible College’s All-Star guard Louis Hurd will also be joining the Spartans fold this upcoming season.
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March 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
While most students were up the mountain or visiting family for the spring Reading Break, the Trinity Western University Titans were overseas in Slovakia playing hockey and doing mission work with Athletes in Action.
On the trip, the Titans played five games against different Slovak Division II teams, most of which were stocked with junior and semi-professional players. These teams were highly skilled and boasted impressive skating and puck handling abilities. After each of their games, the Titans hosted the opposing team at a local restaurant and the Titan players shared their faith and spirituality and how God has worked within their lives.
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March 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Just like every other year, the NHL’s Trade Deadline Day began very slowly; yet, by the end of the day, 25 trades took place with a total of 45 players or draft picks changed teams.
The day started off with a few minor trades before two of the day’s blockbusters occurred. 2004 Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards was traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Dallas Stars, while ex-Buffalo Sabre became a San Jose Shark. Soon after, the Montreal Canadiens shocked everyone by shipping starting goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a second round draft pick. After aleady bolstering their line-up with the signing of former league MVP and Peter Forsberg, the Colorado Avalanche further bettered their team by acquiring defenseman Ruslan Salei and two-time Stanley Cup winner and Olympic Gold Medal winner Adam Foote.
