Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Paul Bonar (FILE PHOTO)
Brandonite Paul Bonar and the rest of the University of Waterloo Warriors believed they had the ability to surprise some teams during the playoffs.
Perhaps the team they surprised the most was themselves.
After finishing sixth in the West Division and 12th overall in the 19-team Ontario Universities Association with a 12-11-5 record, the Warriors hockey team caught fire in the playoffs, advancing all the way to the conference final. They lost 4-1 to the UQTR Patriotes in the OUA Queen’s Cup final, but have a chance to continue their Cinderella run in the University Cup CIS men’s hockey championship this week in Saskatoon.
"We knew we were a special group of guys," said Bonar, a first-year defenceman. "Everybody gets along on the team and we’ve really gelled well over the season, but if someone asked us if we were going to be here about a month or two ago, I think everybody would have been shocked. … I think everybody is still a little shocked but we’re definitely taking advantage of it."
On Monday, the Warriors were seeded sixth for nationals and will battle the No.1-ranked Alberta Golden Bears to open the CIS championship on Thursday. Sportsnet will televise Sunday’s gold-medal game at 5:30 p.m.
The Warriors’ run to the Queen’s Cup final started with an upset of the Lakehead Thunderwolves (17-9-2), then continued when they stunned the Western Mustangs, who led the conference with a 21-5-2 record and went into the series ranked third in the CIS. That boosted Waterloo to seventh in the national rankings — its first appearance in the top 10 this season — and the Warriors followed that up by qualifying for the University Cup by topping the No.8 Windsor Lancers, who were 18-9-1 during the regular season.
Bonar, 22, singled out fourth-year captain Kirt Hill of Winnipeg as the driving force in Waterloo’s post-season surge.
"He’s really just put the team on his back at least a few games and led a comeback or got a big goal to get us back in the game or tie it up," Bonar said. "… His intensity is the highest I’ve seen probably in any player I’ve ever played with … so everybody has kind of followed suit and the success has come from that."
Arriving at Waterloo last fall after wrapping up his Manitoba Junior Hockey League career with the Winnipeg Blues, Bonar is content to play a supporting role with this Warriors team. He got into 18 of the squad’s 28 games during the regular season, picking up three assists, and has dressed for six of the team’s eight playoff games, although he wasn’t in the lineup for Saturday’s battle against the Patriotes.
"I’ve been in games but I haven’t played a prominent role in terms of ice or anything like that," said Bonar, who is in Waterloo’s recreation and leisure studies program, planning to major in sport business. "Any ice I get I try to savour. It’s been definitely a change going from playing such a prominent role in Winnipeg in junior and … having to fill a lesser ice-time role.
"It’s an adjustment and nobody likes it, but with our success you can only be happy with wherever you are."
» rhenders@brandonsun.com
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition March 12, 2013
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Brandonite Paul Bonar and the rest of the University of Waterloo Warriors believed they had the ability to surprise some teams during the playoffs.
Perhaps the team they surprised the most was themselves.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Brandonite Paul Bonar and the rest of the University of Waterloo Warriors believed they had the ability to surprise some teams during the playoffs.
Perhaps the team they surprised the most was themselves.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.