Hockey
Still in contention for a playoff spot, the men’s hockey team had two important games on home turf this past weekend. On Friday night, the Tigers hosted AUS third-place UPEI, who have already secured a playoff spot. The Panthers got off to an early lead in the first period, and after Patrick Daley scored for Dal to tie it up, UPEI snuck in two quick goals for a 3-1 lead. The Panthers continued to dominate, adding two more goals in the second period. Tiger Daniel Bartek scored in the dying seconds of the game, but the team had to settle with a 5-2 loss.
The next day, the CIS number two-ranked team UNB came to town. UNB notched the first goal of the game late in the first period, and notched another early in the second. Brendon MacDonald answered for Dal late in the second period on a power play, and Jordan Villeneuve-Gagne added the only goal of the third period to leave the game tied 2-2. After overtime came the shootout, where the teams matched each other for seven shooters before Brett Theberge’s goal went unanswered, giving the Tigers a 3-2 win. Subway Player of the Game Wendell Vye made 37 saves and stopped five of eight shots in the shootout.
Currently one point behind StFX for the last playoff spot, the black and gold have three games this week including two against the X-Men.
The women’s hockey team was also in action this weekend playing host to the Mount Allison Mounties Saturday afternoon. Having already clinched a berth in the playoffs, the Tigers are now battling for a better position in the standings. The Mounties struck first and struck often, leading 4-0 by the end of the second period. Down but not out, the Tigers rallied back with a quick power play goal by Rebecca Smyth to start the third and notched short-handed and power-play goals by Jenna Currie and Robyn Nicholson respectively, but the game ended 5-3 Mounties, leaving the Tigers with their third loss of the season at the hands of MtA.
The women go on a two-game road trip this weekend to face MtA and UPEI.
Basketball
The men’s and women’s basketball teams were in PEI Saturday night for very important four-point games. The women’s team was up first getting off to an early lead of 27-10 in the first quarter. The Tigers continued their assault with five players scoring double digits in a 94-75 win. Keisha Brown had 24 points while Alex Legge had 17. Anna von Maltzahn added 14 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Von Maltzahn, who is currently leading the AUS in rebounds with 138, collected Subway Player of the Game accolades for the Tigers. The black and gold are leading the CIS in offensive rebounds.
The men’s team was looking for redemption against the AUS league-leading Panthers after a nine-point loss the last time they met. The Tigers finished the first quarter with a 25-21 lead, but lost momentum in the second, getting out-scored 32-10. Dal picked it up in the third keeping pace with UPEI, but could not keep up with the Panthers losing 97-73. Will Yengue led the black and gold with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Ritchie Kanza Mata had 18 points and Casey Fox added 15.
The basketball teams head to New Brunswick this weekend to face the Varsity Reds in two two-point games.
Volleyball
With all of the Interlock competitions done, the men’s volleyball team headed into the weekend with their last match-ups with the Memorial Sea-Hawks of the regular season. On Saturday night, the Tigers claimed an easy 3-0 victory. Outside hitter Graeme Higgins had 11 kills and two service aces while libero Travis MacLean recorded 15 digs in the win.
It was a similar story the next afternoon – Dal once again prevailed 3-0. MacLean shined again collecting 13 digs while right side hitter Kenneth Rauwerda notched 15 kills and Higgins added 11. Setter Angus Rhuland had 65 assists over the course of both matches.
The Tigers host their last regular season home games of the year this weekend against AUS league-leading UNB. The results of Friday and Saturday’s matches will determine the playoff standings.
Currently ranked ninth in the CIS standings, the women’s volleyball team hosted the StFX X-Women. Both teams have already secured playoff positions with Dal second in AUS standings behind Saint Mary’s and StFX currently in fourth behind Cape Breton. Rookie middle blocker and Subway Player of the Game Maggie Li led the Tigers with 12 kills. Outside hitters Louise Facca and Raessa Lalani each had eight kills apiece and 11 and seven digs respectively. Libero Lauren Smith tallied 14 digs as the Tigers blanked the X-Women 3-0 in a very close match.
Women’s volleyball will play their last games of the regular season at home this weekend. On Friday night they host UNB at 7 p.m. and on Saturday CBU at 12 p.m.