Playoff sights set again; last year’s berth was first in seven years
Correction: The photograph was originally attributed to Pau Balite – it was actually taken by Martina Marien. The Gazette apologizes for the mistake.
A season filled with tight losses and nail-biting victories ended in a snap last year when the men’s hockey team was knocked from the first round of the playoffs with just 10 seconds remaining in a game they had to win.
Although the end result was disappointing—atwo-game sweep to St. FX—the Tigers have shown remarkable improvement over the last two years and appear certain to continue. The team has progressed from collecting just four wins in the 2008-2009 campaign, finishing in last place, to eight during the following year and 13 this past season.
This year the team hopes to move one step closer toward their ultimate goal: winning the AUS championship; a feat the club hasn’t accomplished since 1978-1979.
In an effort to end their 33-year streak of futility, head coach Pete Belliveau was busy this summer, adding at least six new hopefuls to their roster. Their most important addition was two-time all-star defensemen David MacDonald, who helped Saint Mary’s win the national men’s hockey title in 2010. He is leaving his cross-town school to pursue a law degree at Dal.
The talent MacDonaldshould bring will help Belliveau address one of his team’s biggest weaknesses.
“We’ve always thought he was one of the top two or three defensemen in this league,” said Belliveau to the Halifax Metro newspaper. “To have him come over to us for a year is huge to help our younger players learn what it takes to win.”
Adding experience and leadership to their defensive core, the Tigers are also getting fifth-year transfers Tomas Stryncl from the UPEI Panthers and former Acadia Axemen, Zach Firlotte. The team has also received a commitment from former Halifax Mooseheads blueliner Pascal Amyot.
Between the pipes, a new recruit, Wendell Vye will fight for the starting position against third-year Bobby Nadeau.
It’s only hoped that these additions will improve the squad’s dismal goals against average of 4.32, second worst in the league last season, and increase their chances of playoff glory.
The Tigers are likely far from legitimately contending for the championship—barely squeaking into the last berth the year before—but if the team keeps improving the way they have, their championship dream may become a reality sooner rather than later.
Dalhousie welcomes St Thomas for their opening night of action on Friday, Oct. 14. The Tigers have a six-pack of exhibition games starting in mid-September.
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