Weekend preview

By Dylan Matthias, Sports Editor

Last year, the Dal Tigers men’s hockey team played 12 games against the big three AUS hockey programs: Acadia, SMU, and UNB. They went 1–8–3 in those games, earning five of a possible 24 points. This year, they’ve beaten Acadia once, but it’s safe to assume the Tigers won’t get much from those 12 games again this year.

That makes the games against Moncton, St. Thomas, UPEI, and St. FX crucial. Those are the teams Dal are fighting for the remaining three playoff spots. The Tigers next four games are against Moncton and St. Thomas, at home this weekend (Nov. 5 and 6) and in Fredericton next weekend (Nov. 12 and 13).

Simply put, Dal must win these games. Without those 12 games, Dal can only get 32 points. It took 21 last year to make the playoffs. In other words, Dal can afford to lose just six of the 18 games against the smaller teams in AUS. These games are valuable. The Tigers play St. Thomas Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Moncton at the same time on Saturday, both at Memorial Arena.

Also worth watching in AUS hockey this week is the match-up between Saint Mary’s and UNB, two University Cup contenders. They meet in Fredericton Nov. 5, but the game will be streamed live on SSN Canada.

The AUS soccer championships take place this weekend in Wolfville and Moncton. Sports editor Dylan Matthias will be live-blogging the women’s games on dalgazette.com and other places. All games will be live-blogged, starting with St. FX and Saint Mary’s at 3 p.m. today. Dalhousie play against either Cape Breton or Acadia tomorrow at 5 p.m.. For a full preview, see page XX.

Acadia and Mount Allison will meet in Sackville on Saturday at 1pm in football in what should be a fairly even game according to Armaan Ahluwalia on page XX. The game is on EastLink TV.

The AUS basketball season doesn’t start until Tuesday (Nov. 9) at Dal, when the Axemen and Axewomen come to town at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Dalplex. The defending champion Cape Breton Capers women’s team has a chance to pick up eight points this weekend in Newfoundland, where they take on Memorial.

The Tigers’ women’s hockey team host the powerful St. FX X-Women on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Memorial Arena. X are undefeated to start the year. Dal aren’t, and are in fact struggling mightily to put up some wins. A turnaround seems unlikely, but upsets are always fun to watch when they happen.

Women’s volleyball are also in action this weekend, heading to Antigonish and Sydney in need of some points.

Did we forget your game? Let us know: sports@dalgazette.com