There was never any doubt for the University of Alberta Golden Bears Men’s Hockey Team.
Not when they allowed four third period goals to the Acadia Axemen in the opening game of the U Sports University Cup, and not when they trailed the rival University of Saskatchewan Huskies 3-1 heading into the third period of the semi-final.
After a 4-3 OT win against the Huskies, it was an early deficit in the first period of the final and another comeback that helped Golden Bears capture the David Johnston University Cup, 4-2 over the St. FX. X-men on March 18 in New Brunswick.
Red Deer’s own Graeme Craig, a third-year defenceman for the Golden Bears, hoisted the trophy Sunday and was on the ice as the final second ticked off the clock before the buzzer sounded to signal victory.
“Getting down 2-0 early, we didn’t really have any panic set in with us. They got that second goal and we knew we had to put the work boots on get back to playing our game. We just never had any doubt in our group that we couldn’t get it done,” Craig said.
“Once we got the go-ahead goal, we knew we were going to be able to shut it down and bring it home.”
Craig recalled finishing out the game, sticks and equipment flying everywhere, and his lap around the rink with the trophy. While the whereabouts of his gear may be in question, the trophy is safe and sound in Alberta.
“Takes a little bit to sink in, I was on the ice and I looked over at Trevor Cox, he absolutely tossed his stick like 30 metres in the air. Not often you win, haven’t won a championship in a few years. You’re just so happy the work you put in throughout the year paid off,” Craig said.
“A lot of our gear didn’t make it, but the trophy made it back here, so that’s all that matters.”
The 24-year-old defenceman also had his own shining moment of the tournament in the semis.
Trailing the Huskies 3-2 late in the third period and Craig on the point on the power play, he fired an innocent shot on net that turned out perfect. Even though he never saw it go in. It was his only goal of the tournament.
He also assisted on the winner by Cox 3:15 into overtime.
“It was a lucky floater I guess,” Craig said of his goal.
“Someone yelled shoot, I saw a little lane and fired it on net. When I was standing back there I had no idea, I thought it was going over.”
The six-foot-five, 205-pound, defender who played his minor hockey in Red Deer isn’t far removed from another title win, as he captured the Men’s Hockey Senior AAA title, the Allan Cup with the Bentley Generals in 2015-2016.
He also played in the Memorial Cup in 2012-2013 with the Saskatoon Blades in his second to last season in the WHL.
The U Sports tournament victory was sweet on many fronts – the third title for the Golden Bears program in the last five years, the 16th national championship in history.
For Craig and the group, the win in 2018 was a little bit of icing on the cake. They experienced heartbreak in back-to-back championships – losing in their opening game in 2016 and 2017.
In 2016 they lost to the X-men in the quarter-finals and because of their flight situation, had to watch the University of New Brunswick Reds hoist the trophy.
Same thing in 2017, when the Canada West Champion and number 1 seeded Golden Bears were upset by the Axemen.
“That lit a bit of a fire under us. Throughout the year we’ve been reiterating that feeling. We don’t bring it up a lot, but when we need a little bit of motivation, it adds some fuel to the fire,” Craig said.
For Craig and his teammates, this week is a return to regular university life, with finals and tests and essays to catch up on.
With the elation of the weekend wearing off quickly, despite the program’s long history of excellence, there hasn’t been any discussion of keeping the trophy at home next year. Craig is eligible to play for the Golden Bears for two more seasons.
“We’ll have a couple celebrations this week, it’ll be good,” Craig said.
“I have a lifelong bond with these guys now on this team. We’re such a close-knit group and we have a lot of fun. Just a really healthy environment to be in. Really fortunate to know the 27-28 guys that are unbelievable teammates.”
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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