Simon Farine (left) and Joe Schow (right) welcome the undefeated Cape Breton Capers to the Dalplex this weekend.
Defending champion and first place Cape Breton (7-0, 20p) will face the second place Dalhousie Tigers (4-1, 14p) at the Dalplex in a two game set beginning Saturday night at 8:00. The second game will tip off at 4:00 on Sunday.
The Capers are home after a holidays tour of China, while the Tigers are coming off a loss to St Francis Xavier in the championship game of the Rod Shoveller Memorial Tournament over the weekend.
The Capers may have the best starting lineup in the AUS with Paris Carter, Jimmy Dorsey, Phillip Nkrumah, and Tremaine Fraser all averaging double figures. Cape Breton is the highest scoring team in the conference and lead in turnover margin with a lofty 5.29.
For the Tigers, fifth year senior Simon Farine is once again the leading scorer averaging 15 ppg, while Joe Schow is averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds. The Tigers are the second best defensive team in the AUS surrendering only 75 ppg and have finally added a transition attack with the addition of several athletic players.
“We’ll need Simon, Schow, Juleous Grant, and Alex Arthur to really play well if we’re going to have a chance” said Tigers Head Coach John Campbell earlier this week. “We’re hoping we can get them into foul trouble and create some match up problems.”
If you can’t make it out to Dalplex the game can be seen on ssncanada.ca.
Also this weekend in Men’s Basketball:
Saturday, St FX (3-2, 8p) vs. UPEI (1-5, 2p) – The X-Men try to build on their Rod Shoveller championship and take care of business at home vs. Panthers.
Saturday/Sunday – UNB (3-3, 6p) vs. MUN (1-5, 4p) – A tough weekend trip to St. John’s for UNB to begin the term. The two game set could go a long way in determining the final playoff spot.
Saturday, SMU (2-5, 6p) vs. Acadia (3-3, 8p) – The health of Justin Boutlier for Acadia is key in this match up. Huskies will be looking to get a tough road win as they continue to gel.
Sunday, St FX vs. Acadia- Battle of outstanding guards, Christian Upshaw vs. Anthony Sears. Owen Classen of Acadia could give the X-Men a huge match up problem.
Sunday, UPEI vs. SMU– Mannock Lual of the Panthers could have a huge game here. A must win game for a Huskies team struggling to find an identity.
Saturday/Sunday, Cape Breton (5-2, 14p) vs. Dalhousie (1-4, 4p)
– Big trouble for the Tigers. Anna Stammberger’s youthful team struggles with full court pressure, and the Capers excel at applying it.Saturday/Sunday, UNB (5-1, 14p) vs. MUN (4-2, 14p) – These teams are tied for first place. They split a weekend set in Fredericton in November. Claire Colbourne is averaging 24 ppg for the Reds.
Saturday, UPEI (0-6) vs. St FX (4-1, 12p) – Could be a struggle for Carly Clarke’s rebuilding Panthers. The X-Women are deep and athletic.
Saturday, SMU (3-4, 6p) vs. Acadia (2-4, 6p) – These teams combined for the 4th highest scoring game in CIS women’s history back in October at the Tower. Justine Colley is averaging 22 ppg for the Huskies while Emma Duinker averages 21 for Acadia.
Sunday, UPEI vs. SMU – Expect the Huskies Susanne Canvin to have a huge game versus her former team.
Sunday, St Fx vs Acadia- An outstanding match up of athletic teams. The key will be how Acadia handles the full court pressure of the X-Women.
Men’s Hockey
Dalhousie (8-8) vs. UPEI (9-5-2) – The nationally ranked Panthers feature the three top scorers in the AUS in Matt Carter (29p), Cory Vitarelli (24), and Michael MacIsaac (23, tied with Hunter Tremblay of UNB). UPEI will looking to bounce back after losing to Acadia last night. The Tigers were on the cusp of their first national ranking in years but this weekend trip to UNB (Tigers lost 5-0) and UPEI may set them back. Highly touted recruit Zach Harden is making debut for Dalhousie.
Acadia (8-6-2) at UNB (12-4) – The Axemen got a huge win at PEI last night but will be in tough vs. (arguably) the best team in the country. The Reds got revenge on Dalhousie last night with a 5-0 shellacking and will be looking for the same against Acadia who beat them 3-2 in Wolfville in November.
St.Thomas (2-11-3) vs. Saint Mary’s (11-4-1) – The national champs are a virtual lock at the Forum versus a Tommies team that would appear to be rebuilding and destined for the basement this season.
Moncton (5-9-2) vs. St FX (9-6-1) – Moncton got whipped by Saint Mary’s last night while the X-Men had no problem with STU. Moncton has added some high profile recruits and will be looking for a huge road win to close the gap on 6th place Dalhousie in the standings. The X-Men have proven to be the conference’s streakiest team. They started the season with a four game winning streak, then lost six in a row, and have now won five of their last six with the only loss in overtime at STU.
Women’s Volleyball
The first place Saint Mary’s Huskies (6-4) have a tough weekend trip to New Brunswick. Tonight they’ll play Moncton (5-4) and tomorrow they’ll be in Fredericton visiting UNB (5-5). Moncton and UNB are tied for second place. St FX (4-5) is only two points behind in third and will travel to play the Capers (2-7). The AUS women’s volleyball standings have been a logjam the last couple of years so every match will be critical down the stretch.
Women’s Hockey
Lesley Jordan’s Dalhousie Tigers (6-4-3) finally beat the Mount Allison Mounties (5-6-1) last night at the DMA. The Mounties had beaten the Tigers twice already this season and were well on their way to a third win behind the stellar play of goaltender Janelle Hulan. Laura Shearer scored for Dalhousie in the third period to tie the game at one, and Robin Nicholson scored in overtime to give the struggling Tigers a much needed victory. The Tigers had lost 5 of their last 6 before the holiday break. The Tigers outshot the Mounties 41-9.
SMU Huskies (4-6-2)at Moncton Aigles Bleues(9-3-1) – Moncton’s Marieve Provost is the AUS all time leading scorer and she may be having her best season of her career. Provost leads all scorers with 32 points, 13 ahead of Janelle Parent of the X-Women in second place. Lisa Jordan’s Huskies are rebuilding after winning the AUS championship last season.
St FX (11-0) at STU (6-6-1) – The powerhouse X-Women are undefeated, nationally ranked, and have their sights focused on an AUS championship. The Tommies are scrappy and will be looking to keep pace with Dalhousie in the middle of the pack.
