by Cody Baugh
Men’s Hockey
With the first lag of the 2015-2016 AUS men’s hockey season complete, the Tigers will look to regroup over the much-needed break ahead. The Tigers currently sit in seventh place in the AUS standings with a 4-9-2 record.
Despite the losing record and occupying the second last place in the division, the Tigers statistics are not indicative of their play. In previous seasons we have seen the Tigers only have a chance to win against the bottom three teams but that is not the case this season. Two of the Tigers four wins have come against the top four teams in the AUS, including the then second ranked team in the nation, the Acadia Axemen.
The Tigers have faced off against the Axemen three times this season; posting a 1-1-1 record, proving Dalhousie should not be taken lightly.
After starting the season 4-6-2, Chris Donnelly’s team has run into some trouble dropping three straight and being outscored 14-3 to close the first half of the season. The break could not have come at a better time giving the Tigers some time to right the ship.
Compared to last season, the Tigers record is almost identical at this time as the Tigers sat 4-10-1 and finished the season 7-20-1.
It may not be the year the Tigers finally crack the playoffs, sitting six points back of a playoff spot chasing Moncton and Saint Mary’s, but the team has made many improvements.
The biggest addition to the roster this year was CHL talent Phil Gadoury who played two seasons with Halifax Mooseheads. Gadoury posted 58 points in 59 games last season in QMJHL and has brought his offensive prowess to the AUS. Gadoury has 10 goals and four assists in just 15 games and sits fifth in the AUS scoring race.
On the back end its been second year goaltender Corbin Boes who has been steady for the Tigers. Boes has started 13 of 15 games this year posting a .906 save percentage. Boes was recently selected to the CIS all-star team who split a two-game series with the Canadian National Junior Prospects last weekend.
The future is bright for the Tigers who could be considered to be in a “rebuilding” stage with 20 first and second year players listed on their roster. A late surge could propel the Tigers into the playoffs this year but regardless the Tigers have the makeup of a strong team moving forward.
Dalhousie will resume play on January 8 on the road against the UNB Varsity Reds.
Women’s Hockey
With just one game left before the Christmas break; the Dalhousie Tigers are in fifth place in the AUS with a 5-6 record. Parody in the league is evident with five teams all within four points of each other jockeying for position.
It wasn’t an ideal start for Dalhousie who dropped their opening three contests and were out-scored 10-2 during the losing streak. Head coach Sean Fraser was able to right the ship after a somewhat disastrous start, leading the team on a 5-3 run.
A mid-semester three-game winning streak got the Tigers back on track beating strong competition in UPEI, StFX and Mount Allison.
Nearing the half way mark of the season, the Tigers are looking very much like a strong playoff contender. Outside of the Saint Mary’s Huskies who have looked nothing short of dominant and deserving of their fifth rank in the country, anything could happen in terms of playoff seeding.
With just 12 regular season games left in the short AUS season every point from here on out will be essential.
The team’s core is composed of veteran players who are hungry for an AUS championship. With just four first year players on the team, there is some serious AUS experience on the Tigers roster.
Fifth-year senior, Sarah Robichaud leads the team offensively with six goals and five assists while third-year forward Lisa Maclean has four goals and seven assists.
Robichaud has be excellent, but Dalhousie does not rely on a top line or a couple players to fill the net as 15 players have already notched a goal this season in just 12 games.
In between the pipes neither goalie has been able to emerge as the number one starter with Mati Barrett and Jessica Severeyns splitting starts all season long. Statistically speaking, Severeyns is the best option inside the Tigers cage posting a .914 save percentage, 2.21 GAA and four wins in six starts compared to Barrett’s .888 save percentage, 3.24 GAA and one win in six starts.
The Tigers first game in the New Year will be in Moncton against the Aigles Bleues Saturday, January 9.