Preview: The West is potentially the easiest region to predict in the entire tournament, but could just as well prove the most surprising. Kansas State and Syracuse seem locked on a collision course and will likely meet up in the Elite Eight, but the West also features a number of strong upset possibilities.
Sports
The latest in McGill and world sports.
Mixed results: Martlets take silver, Redmen hoist Queen’s Cup
Four years ago, the McGill men’s hockey team travelled to the western shores of Lake Superior and came home empty-handed. On Saturday night, the Redmen reversed history, capturing the OUA Queen’s Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves. The win marked McGill’s second Queen’s Cup in the last three years, and the team’s 15th since winning the inaugural competition in 1903.
Patriotes pulverized as Redmen complete series sweep of rivals
McGill hockey fans broke out the brooms on Friday night, as the Redmen eliminated a longtime rival – the UQTR Patriotes – by a score of 7-4 to sweep the Ontario University Athletics East Division Final. A standing-room-only crowd was energized from the opening faceoff until the final buzzer, and the celebration continued in the Redmen locker room after the game.
THIRD MAN IN: Nothing to Cheer About
With March Madness upon us, spectators sometimes forget that there will actually be two sports on display throughout the competition: basketball and cheerleading. NCAA cheerleaders, unlike their compatriots in the NFL and the NBA, deserve that name. Professional sports “cheerleading” would in reality be more properly referred to as dancing, since these teams’ performances are more akin to what you might see on a Saturday night at a gentleman’s club than what goes on at cheerleading national championships.
McGill dominates Carabins to win fifth straight Quebec crown
The McGill women’s hockey team continued its domination of CIS competition last week, finishing off the Montreal Carabins on the road after winning the series opener at home on Wednesday. With Friday’s series-clincher, the Martlets celebrated their 84th straight win in CIS play, as well as their fifth consecutive conference championship.
McGill bounced in QUBL semis
If there is one thing the McGill men’s basketball team made clear to spectators and scouts this year, it’s that the Redmen can play with anyone in Quebec. Stacked with young talent, the future of McGill’s men’s basketball program appears to be in good hands, and if Head Coach Craig Norman can figure out a way to get his team to perform with some consistency, the Redmen could be a force to be reckoned with as early as next season.
Silver finish
With Saturday’s loss to the Laval Rouge et Or in the QSSF championship game, the McGill women’s basketball team concluded a rollercoaster ride of a season. While a 13-15 overall record – McGill went 5-4 in non-conference play and finished 8-11 in Quebec competition – cannot be considered cause for celebration, the Martlets closed out the season competitively, and appear to have the pieces in place to become a force in the near future.
THIRD MAN IN: Don’t bett on it
The gold medal is back in its rightful place, safe for another four years. Canada fulfilled its destiny, and another chapter has been added to the legend of Sidney Crosby. But as the last of the champagne is poured and celebrations across the country begin to die down, it’s already time to think ahead, and consider the troubling future of Olympic men’s hockey.
Redmen roll to the second round, captain Turcotte suspended
The McGill Redmen played the Jekyll and Hyde game once again on Sunday night, as they showcased both incredible skill and a complete lack of discipline during a 6-2 win over the Carleton Ravens at McConnell Arena. The victory clinched the best-of-three OUA East semifinal for McGill, who won consecutive games after a surprising loss in the series opener.
Gold-Smith: McGill coach discusses Canada’s journey to the top
Fresh off helping Team Canada find its way to the top of the Olympic podium as an assistant coach with the national women’s hockey team, Martlet Head Coach Peter Smith took some time to talk to Tribune opinion editor Matt Chesser about all things hockey-related.
