The Rundown - Semifinals

The final four teams in the Canada West playoffs met in Vancouver and Edmonton for their series to determine who would play for the Canada West banner and, perhaps more importantly, who would compete in Elmira, Ontario for the U SPORTS National Women's Hockey Championship. Three of the four teams still alive had won National Championships in the past while three of the four teams had also won Canada West banners. Needless to say, there were four very good teams looking to add some additional hardware to their respective trophy cases. Let's find out who will represent Canada West at Nationals in this week's edition of The Rundown!

A Different Format

I actually had this article all written out as Game Three of the Canada West semifinal between two of the teams was getting ready when it struck me that I could do what I originally wanted to do this season had everyone made highlight reels. If you were a fan of the old Headline Sports television network or The Score television network that ran game highlights all day, this is something I thought could really elevate the status of Canada West teams and players as there's no one else doing this sort of thing. In saying that, we're trying this format out this week!

Let's go to the Canada West Headline Sports highlights!

Weekend Highlights

February 28, 2025
UBC 4-0 Manitoba
Highlights on Youtube

March 1, 2025
UBC 4-1 Manitoba
Highlights on Youtube

UBC wins the series 2-0 over Manitoba.

February 28, 2025
Mount Royal 3-2 Alberta
Highlights on Youtube

March 1, 2025
Mount Royal 0-1 Alberta
Highlights on Youtube

March 2, 2025
Mount Royal 2-3 Alberta
Highlights on Youtube

Alberta wins the series 2-1 over Mount Royal.

Obviously, there are no standings for the playoffs, so we'll head over to the updated bracket for all your necessary information.

These two teams were the best of the conference all season long as they finished with the most and second-most points in the conference, separated by only two points when the dust settled on the season. UBC was the best offensive team while Alberta was the best defensive team. UBC had the top power-play; Alberta had the second-best power-play. UBC had the second-best penalty-killing team, but Alberta was fifth in the conference on that statistic. UBC is now 13-2 at home includng the playoffs while Alberta was 14-1 on the road - second only to UBC's 14-0-1 record.

UBC was 2-0 against Alberta this season with both wins coming back in October in Edmonton. Alberta is 2-4-1-1 in the last five years at UBC, so it seems like UBC may have the slight edge on Alberta in this final. The games are played, though, because stats won't tell you everything. Both teams have improved since those October meetings, and I expect this final to be some of the fastest, physical hockey we'll see this season. The winner will take home the Canada West banner and the higher seeding at Nationals, so both teams know the stakes!

Honour Roll

Each week on The Rundown, I highlight the best performances from the weekend's games. It won't always be the top scorer or the best goalie, but I'll have a reason for who gets picked each week. This week's Honour Roll candidate is the 2022 Canada West Rookie of the Year as she scored three times, including two game-winning goals, in the two biggest games of Alberta's season. This week's honour roll candidate is Alberta Pandas forward Natalie Kieser.

Kieser had a bit of a down year compared to her season highs one year ago, but she's showing her clutch scoring nature as she has four game-winners this season including two against Mount Royal in Games Two and Three in their semifinal series. Scoring just twice in her first 14 games this year, Kieser has found her offensive flair once again, scoring seven times in 16 games including three-in-three-games against the Cougars this weekend. She's still lethal with the puck.

What makes Kieser even more dangerous right now is that she's buzzing around the net and looking for second-chance opportunities. Her goal on Friday came off a blocked shot where she found some shooting space, and her third goal was the OT winner on Sunday where she followed the puck to the net to find the rebound. Having Kieser looking for those loose puck in the high-danger area of the ice is a good strategy as the Pandas showed this weekend, and her efforts are part of the reason the Pandas will play in Ontario. That's how Natalie Kieser adds her name to the list!

Does Anyone Care?

The format change this week deserves a little discussion, so I'm hoping you'll leave a comment below. I'd like to know if you want the traditional written recaps as seen on this site or if you prefer getting all the info in an eight-minute video. Frankly, I would have started this sooner had teams actually been making highlight reels, but it seems like the old "better late than never" phrase works here. So let's hear your thoughts: are you a fan of the voiceover highlight reels done as one long segment? Or are you a fan of write-ups?

The Last Word

At most, there are three games left in the Canada West season. Next week in Vancouver, UBC and Alberta will determine who gets a new tapestry to hang in their barn while also figuring out who will play in the top-half of the Nationals bracket and who will be in the bottom-half. It's been a good season as the top-two teams in Canada West will meet to determine this, and that's how Canada West will be won.

For Mount Royal and Manitoba, they join Regina and Trinity Western on figuring out how to take that next step. There were good performances by a number of players througout the season on both teams, and there will be a new flock of rookies to try and step into the lineup next season after the graduates leave the program. Rest up after this weekend, reflect on what needs to be done to take that next step, and then put the work in this summer. The effort you give over the next few months will certainly show up in September!

For Alberta and UBC, the preparation for one final weekend and one four-day tournament begins now. Bring your best on Friday in Vancouver in Game One and follow it up with whatever is left in the tank on Saturday. Perhaps we'll be lucky and get a Game Three out of two of the very best teams in Canada this season!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!