In a clash that some have compared to the fight between the oh-so-dreamy Russell Crowe and the tiger in Gladiator, the University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies met for an all-western final round of the 2005 Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Mon., Mar. 28.
Huskie Trent Adamus opened scoring 5:49 into the game with a slapshot between the pads of the Bears’ goalie.
Just over 10 minutes later they made it 2-0 with a wristshot from Jon Barkman.
Soon after, a powerplay helped the Bears claw their way to a goal. Defenseman Harlan Anderson picked up the marker.
The Huskies regained their two goal lead on a powerplay in the second frame. Keegan McAvoy stepped out from behind the net and popped one by the Bears’ netminder.
Two goals down in the third, the Bears were desperate. Richard Hamula managed to cram the puck into the net during a scramble, closing the deficit to one.
With under a minute to play, the Bears’ chances looked grim. But pulling the goalie paid off when Ben Thompson tied the game for Alberta. He added the 4-3 winning goal 5:27 into the first overtime.
The win earned the Bears their 11th CIS title and sets a new record for the lead. The Dinos were 1-6-1 against the Bears this season.