Big weekend, big stakes

Libero Travis MacLean, fourth year kinesiology student (Nick Pearce photo)

The stakes are big for Dalhousie's men's hockey and men's volleyball teams this weekend, but the Tigers sound primed and ready.

The men's volleyball team is set to battle the University of New Brunswick in the best-of-three Subway AUS championship. The Tigers are defending the championship they've held for 24 consecutive seasons. The first game is Friday at UNB, with game two being held at Dalplex on Sunday at 3 p.m. If required, game three will be in Fredericton the following Saturday.

“I think that anticipation for this weekend's playoff matches will be at an all-time high,” says Dan Ota, the team's head coach. “In my twelve years coaching this program, this is the first time where we have not finished first in the league standings. UNB played very well this past weekend while we struggled to find any consistency in our game. We all know that there's a conference championship and a ticket to nationals on the line. I look forward to going back to UNB's gym and playing our best volleyball of the season. I hope that our own fans will be out in force on Sunday to support our guys on the biggest weekend of our season.”

Defenceman Benoit Gervais (Nick Pearce photo)

As for men's hockey, the team is set for its quarter-final series with St. FX. It's the Tigers' first appearance in the AUS playoffs in seven years, earning key wins against Acadia and UPEI to earn the final playoff spot. The first game is Thursday night in Antigonish, with game two happening at Dalhousie Memorial Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. A third game, if required, will be Monday evening at St. FX.

“We are very proud of our players’ effort since September towards achieving our goal of making the 2011 AUS playoffs," says Head Coach Pete Belliveau, adding that support from the Athletic Department and the Dalhousie Hockey Club was a big part of the success.

Men's volleyball - game two: Sunday, February 20, 3 p.m., Dalplex. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for alumni, faculty or staff and $5 for seniors and non-Dal students. Dalhousie students receive free admission with their student ID. All tickets can be purchased at the door, one hour before game time.

Men's hockey - game two: Saturday, February 19, 2 p.m., Memorial Arena. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for alumni, faculty and staff and $8 for seniors and non-Dal students. Dalhousie students receive free admission with their student ID. All tickets can be purchased at Dalplex Customer Service Centre up to two hours prior to game time and then will be available for sale at the gate one hour before game time.

All games held at Dalhousie will be available online via webcast at http://ssncanada.ca