A handful of B.C. products helped the University of Alberta Golden Bears win the U-Sports Canadian Men’s University Hockey championship Sunday at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton.
Coldstream’s Cole Sanford, Salmon Arm’s Lucas Nickles, West 91´ó»ÆÑ¼â€™s Tanner Clarkson, Trevor Cox of Surrey and former 91´ó»ÆÑ¼ Rockets forward Cole Linaker were on the Bears roster that defeated the St. Francis Xavier X-Men of Antigonish, NS 4-2 in the David Johnston University Cup final.
It’s the Golden Bears’ 16th national championship.
Like they did against conference rivals Saskatchewan Huskies in the semifinal Saturday, Alberta rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the championship.
Sanford had an assist on the tying goal. Wil Tomchuk of Fort McMurray, Alta., a former member of the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars, scored the winner at 14:48 of the second period for the Golden Bears.
Alberta goalie Zach Sawchenko was the Golden Bears’ player of the game. He was also named the tournament’s all-star goalie.
The Golden Bears advanced to the final by rallying to beat the Huskies 3-2 in overtime with Cox scoring the winner. Alberta swept Saskatchewan 2-0 to win its 27th Canada West championship. Both teams advanced to the national finals.
Alberta opened the tournament with an 8-6 win over the Acadian Axemen of Nova Scotia. Sanford had a goal and two assists for the Bears.
The host University of New Brunswick Reds - overtime losers to St.FX in the semifinal – won the bronze medal, beating the Huskies 5-4 in OT.