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Sanford helps Bears win 16th CIS title

Cole Sanford has an assist in final as Alberta beats St. Francis Xavier 4-2 for national title
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Coldstream’s Cole Sanford (top left), and fellow B.C. products Lucas Nickles (Salmon Arm, clockwise from top), Trevor Cox (Surrey), Cole Linaker (former 91´ó»ÆÑ¼ Rocket) and Tanner Clarkson (West 91´ó»ÆÑ¼) helped the University of Alberta Golden Bears win its 16th national men’s university hockey championship Sunday. (University of Alberta photos)

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.



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