CANADA WEST CONFERENCE REPORT – Former Brandon Wheat King Tyler Dittmer helped the University of Manitoba Bisons continue their strong start to the 2009-10 Canada West Conference season as the Bisons split a two-game weekend series versus the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Also on the weekend, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies swept the visiting Lethbridge Pronghorns while the Calgary Dinos earned two wins over the visiting Regina Cougars.
In Edmonton, AB, on Friday, Tyler Dittmer scored the eventual game-winner as the visiting Bisons edged the defending Canada West Champion Golden Bears 3-2.
On Saturday, former Portland Winterhawk Brian Woolger and former Prince George Cougar Eric Hunter each tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Golden Bears to a 5-3 victory over the Bisons to earn the series split. WHL grads Ian Duval and Mike Hellyer each netted a goal and an assist for the Bisons while Dittmer also counted.
The Golden Bears and Bisons continue to share the Canada West Conference lead with 13 points apiece.
In Saskatoon, SK, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies came away with a pair of wins over the visiting University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
On Friday, former Kootenay Ice star Steve DaSilva scored three goals and chipped in two assists while fellow WHL grad Kyle Bortis notched a goal and two assists as the Huskies beat the Pronghorns 7-3. WHL grad Mark Shefchyk, a former Canada West Rookie of the Year, scored once for the Pronghorns in the loss.
On Saturday, former WHLer Michael Kaye scored twice while WHL grads Steven Gillen, Brennan Bosch, Chris Durand, Shaun Vey and Chad Greenan each netted a goal and two assists as the Huskies blasted the Pronghorns 9-2.
In other Canada West hockey action on the weekend, The University of Calgary Dinos claimed a pair of victories over the visiting University of Regina Cougars.
On Friday, WHL grads Torrie Wheat and Brock Nixon each scored twice to lead the Dinos to a 5-2 win over the Cougars. Former WHLers Ryan Sawka and Carter Smith scored for the Cougars in the defeat.
On Saturday, Torrie Wheat notched a goal and an assist while former WHL netminder Dustin Butler turned in a 30-save performance as the Dinos defeated the Cougars 2-1. WHL grad Brant Hilton made 33 saves in a losing cause for the Cougars.
For more Canada West Hockey coverage, stats and standings, and links to Canada West teams, visit the Canada West Hockey Website
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