The 2014 University Cup final has been set—and it will feature a battle of western rivals.
The tournament’s top seeds, the University of Alberta Golden Bears, will take on the fifth-ranked hosts the University of Saskatchewan Huskies after both teams won their March 22 games.
With the Carleton Ravens and Acadia Axemen being eliminated in the first two days of the tournament, the winners of the final round-robin games would earn a berth in the national championship game March 23.
The afternoon game between University of Alberta and the McGill Redmen was the most exciting, with the the Golden Bears winning in a double-overtime thriller 3-2.
McGill goalie Jacob Gervais-Chouinard’s 52 saves weren’t enough to pull off the upset after the Golden Bears outshot the Redmen 55-20.
The second game was not as dramatic as the first one, but the crowd had a vested interest in supporting the home team from the University of Saskatchewan.
The Huskies cruised to a 9-0 victory over the University of Windsor Lancers, in an upset since the Lancers were ranked third, two seeds higher than the Huskies.
Both teams playing in the championship game are from the Canadian Western University Athletic Association, and should produce a thrilling atmosphere between the local hosts and their western rivals.
In four meetings this season, the Golden Bears beat the Huskies every time. However, three of those four games were decided by one goal, with the other one being determined by two goals.
The University of Alberta is looking to capture its first University Cup since 2008 and its 17th Canadian title overall, while the University of Saskatchewan is aiming to win its second national championship after taking home the top prize in 1983.
The national championship game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. E.S.T.
