2015 CIS University Cup

This two-year bid included a format change that saw eight teams compete and the re-introduction of the bronze medal game.{{cite web|url=http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/cis_news/2013-14/releases/20140327-cis|title=CIS National Championships: Format Changes|date=March 27, 2014|publisher=Canadian Interuniversity Sport|accessdate=April 2, 2016}} Previous tournaments, going back to 1998 (17 seasons), were a 6-team 2-pool format (3 teams per pool) where one team from each pool would advance to the championship final (in some seasons, the runner-up in each pool would play for Bronze). Instead of a pool format, a tradition single elimination 8-team bracket was chosen and the teams seeded 1–8. The tournament length was the same (4 days) with two games on each day (the same half of the bracket per day; 1–8 and 4–5 versus 2–7 and 3–6 with Thursday's winners playing Saturday afternoon and Friday's winners playing Saturday night). The losers of Saturday's semi-finals play in the bronze medal game held prior to the championship final on Sunday.

USPORTS announced they would reevaluated the format after the two-year run in Halifax for subsequent years.

In the previous six-team two-pool format, the conference champions were seeded 1-3 and the remaining three teams were shuffled between the pools based on the CIS balancing criteria to reduce intra-conference match-ups (e.g., when there were only two teams from one conference, they were placed in separate pools, and if a conflict arose based on 1–4–6 vs 2–3–5 placement, the lower seeded team was swapped with a lower seeded team in the other pool to maintain the integrity of the draw).

In the new format, teams were seeded based on the last Top 10 Poll (the Saturday/Sunday prior to the tournament). The three conference champions were seeded one through three, with the order based on their rank. The OUA Runner-up (loser of the Queen's Cup) was seeded 4th, regardless of their rank. The remaining four teams are seeded 5-to-8 based on their rank. Teams in the bottom half could be shuffled by two spots, up or down, to reduce intra-conference match-ups in the first round (quarterfinals) while maintaining the integrity of the draw (e.g., if the AUS Champion was seed #1 and the host is an AUS team seeded #8, the AUS host would be swapped with #7 to avoid an AUS-vs-AUS first round match). The Tournament Committee does not have to swap teams to avoid intra-conference matchups in the 1st round, but it is expected and they are afforded the opportunity. An example of not swapping – in 2019, tournament host Lethbridge, chose to remain seed #8 and play #1 Alberta in their first game of the tournament rather than be seed #7 and play #2 UNB.

The 8 participating teams and their selection criteria are listed below. Each conference would qualified two teams – champion and runner-up. The OUA Conference had an additional selection (3rd-place finisher) and the final spot was the designated host. Where the host has qualified as one of the other 7 spots, the 'host' would be replaced with another team from that conference.

{{6TeamBracket

|RD1=Quarter-finals (Best of 3)

|RD2=Semi-finals (Best of 5)

|RD3=AUS Championship (Best of 5)

|RD1-seed1=4

|RD1-team1=St. Francis Xavier X-Men

|RD1-score1=2

|RD1-seed2=5

|RD1-team2=UPEI Panthers

|RD1-score2=0

|RD1-seed3=3

|RD1-team3=Saint Mary's Huskies

|RD1-score3=2

|RD1-seed4=6

|RD1-team4=Moncton Aigles Bleu

|RD1-score4=1

|RD2-seed1=1

|RD2-team1=UNB Varsity Reds

|RD2-score1=3

|RD2-seed2=4

|RD2-team2=St. Francis Xavier X-Men

|RD2-score2=2

|RD2-seed3=2

|RD2-team3=Acadia Axemen

|RD2-score3=3

|RD2-seed4=3

|RD2-team4=Saint Mary's Huskies

|RD2-score4=2

|RD3-seed1=1

|RD3-team1=UNB Varsity Reds

|RD3-score1=2

|RD3-seed2=2

|RD3-team2=Acadia Axemen

|RD3-score2=0

}}

{{16TeamBracket

|RD1=Division Quarter-finals (Best of 3)
OUA Sweet 16

|RD2=Division Semi-finals (Best of 3)
OUA Quarter-Finals

|RD3=Division Finals (Best of 3)
OUA Semi-Finals

|RD4=Queen's Cup (Single Game)
OUA Championship

|RD2-group1=OUA East

|RD2-group2=OUA West

|RD1-seed01=1E

|RD1-team01=McGill Redmen

|RD1-score01=2

|RD1-seed02=8E

|RD1-team02=Concordia Stingers

|RD1-score02=1

|RD1-seed03=4E

|RD1-team03=Laurentian Voyageurs

|RD1-score03=1

|RD1-seed04=5E

|RD1-team04=Queen's Golden Gaels

|RD1-score04=2

|RD1-seed05=2E

|RD1-team05=Carleton Ravens

|RD1-score05=2

|RD1-seed06=7E

|RD1-team06=UOIT Ridgebacks

|RD1-score06=0

|RD1-seed07=3E

|RD1-team07=UQTR Patriotes

|RD1-score07=2

|RD1-seed08=6E

|RD1-team08=Nipissing Lakers

|RD1-score08=0

|RD1-seed09=1W

|RD1-team09=Windsor Lancers

|RD1-score09=2

|RD1-seed10=8W

|RD1-team10=Brock Badgers

|RD1-score10=1

|RD1-seed11=2W

|RD1-team11=Western Ontario Mustangs

|RD1-score11=0

|RD1-seed12=7W

|RD1-team12=Lakehead Thunderwolves

|RD1-score12=2

|RD1-seed13=4W

|RD1-team13=Ryerson Rams

|RD1-score13=0

|RD1-seed14=5W

|RD1-team14=Toronto Varsity Blues

|RD1-score14=2

|RD1-seed15=3W

|RD1-team15=Waterloo Warriors

|RD1-score15=0

|RD1-seed16=6W

|RD1-team16=Guelph Gryphons

|RD1-score16=2

|RD2-seed01=1E

|RD2-team01=McGill Redmen

|RD2-score01=2

|RD2-seed02=5E

|RD2-team02=Queen's Golden Gaels

|RD2-score02=0

|RD2-seed03=2E

|RD2-team03=Carleton Ravens

|RD2-score03=0

|RD2-seed04=3E

|RD2-team04=UQTR Patriots

|RD2-score04=2

|RD2-seed05=1W

|RD2-team05=Windsor Lancers

|RD2-score05=2

|RD2-seed06=7W

|RD2-team06=Lakehead Thunderwolves

|RD2-score06=0

|RD2-seed07=5W

|RD2-team07=Toronto Varsity Blues

|RD2-score07=0

|RD2-seed08=6W

|RD2-team08=Guelph Gryphons

|RD2-score08=2

|RD3-seed01=1E

|RD3-team01=McGill Redmen

|RD3-score01=0

|RD3-seed02=3E

|RD3-team02=UQTR Patriots

|RD3-score02=2

|RD3-seed03=1W

|RD3-team03=Windsor Lancers

|RD3-score03=0

|RD3-seed04=6W

|RD3-team04=Guelph Gryphons

|RD3-score04=2

|RD4-seed01=3E

|RD4-team01=UQTR Patriots

|RD4-score01=0

|RD4-seed02=6W

|RD4-team02=Guelph Gryphons

|RD4-score02=4

}}

{{2TeamBracket | RD1= Bronze Medal

| RD1-seed1=1E

| RD1-team1=McGill Redmen

| RD1-score1=1

| RD1-seed2=1W

| RD1-team2=Windsor Lancers

| RD1-score2=2

}}

{{6TeamBracket

|RD1=Quarter-finals (Best of 3)

|RD2=Semi-finals (Best of 3)

|RD3=Canada West Championship (Best of 3)

|RD1-seed1=4

|RD1-team1=UBC Thunderbirds

|RD1-score1=2

|RD1-seed2=5

|RD1-team2=Manitoba Bisons

|RD1-score2=1

|RD1-seed3=3

|RD1-team3=Mount Royal Cougars

|RD1-score3=2

|RD1-seed4=6

|RD1-team4=Saskatchewan Huskies

|RD1-score4=1

|RD2-seed1=1

|RD2-team1=Alberta Golden Bears

|RD2-score1=2

|RD2-seed2=4

|RD2-team2=UBC Thunderbirds

|RD2-score2=0

|RD2-seed3=2

|RD2-team3=Calgary Dinos

|RD2-score3=2

|RD2-seed4=3

|RD2-team4=Mount Royal Cougars

|RD2-score4=1

|RD3-seed1=1

|RD3-team1=Alberta Golden Bears

|RD3-score1=2

|RD3-seed2=2

|RD3-team2=Calgary Dinos

|RD3-score2=0

}}

The eight teams to advance to the tournament are listed below.

The tournament was a traditional 8 team single elimination ladder with a bronze medal game between the two semi-final losers. Games that were tied after regulation played a 10-minute overtime period following the third period. If there was no score after the first overtime, the ice was cleaned and they play 20 minute periods (with ice cleaned between periods) until there was a winner.

The higher seed was the 'home' team for each game (the home team had to wear their 'white' jerseys and got the last change during stoppages of play).

{{8TeamBracket

|RD1=Quarter-finals
(Single Game)

|RD2=Semi-finals
(Single Game)

|RD3=Championship final
(Single Game)

|RD1-group1=Thursday

|RD1-group2=Friday

|RD1-seed1=3

|RD1-team1=Guelph Gryphons

|RD1-score1=3

|RD1-seed2=6

|RD1-team2=Calgary Dinos

|RD1-score2=1

|RD1-seed3=2

|RD1-team3=UNB Varsity Reds

|RD1-score3=6

|RD1-seed4=7

|RD1-team4=Windsor Lancers

|RD1-score4=2

|RD1-seed5=4

|RD1-team5=UQTR Patriotes

|RD1-score5=6 OT1

|RD1-seed6=5

|RD1-team6=Acadia Axemen

|RD1-score6=5

|RD1-seed7=1

|RD1-team7=Alberta Golden Bears

|RD1-score7=5

|RD1-seed8=8

|RD1-team8=St. Francis Xavier X-Men

|RD1-score8=1

|RD2-seed1=3

|RD2-team1=Guelph Gryphons

|RD2-score1=2

|RD2-seed2=2

|RD2-team2=UNB Varsity Reds

|RD2-score2=5

|RD2-seed3=4

|RD2-team3=UQTR Patriotes

|RD2-score3=1

|RD2-seed4=1

|RD2-team4=Alberta Golden Bears

|RD2-score4=5

|RD3-seed1=2

|RD3-team1=UNB Varsity Reds

|RD3-score1=3

|RD3-seed2=1

|RD3-team2=Alberta Golden Bears

|RD3-score2=6

}}

{{2TeamBracket | RD1= Bronze Medal (Single Game)

| RD1-seed1=3

| RD1-team1=Guelph Gryphons

| RD1-score1=3 OT1

| RD1-seed2=4

| RD1-team2=UQTR Patriotes

| RD1-score2=2

}}

Games that ended in a regulation tie were resolved solely on 5-on-5 overtime (5 skaters and a goalie for each side) until one team scored. The first overtime period was 10 minutes and started after a three-minute rest. Following this period, the ice was resurfaced and subsequent 20 minute periods were played.

{{IceHockeybox

| bg = #eeeeee

| date = March 15, 2015

| time = 14:00 (local)

| team1 = Guelph Gryphons #3

| team2 = UQTR Patriotes #4

| score = 3–2 OT1

| periods = (1–1, 0–1, 1–0, 1–0)

| reference = http://english.cis–sic.ca/championships/mice/2015/boxscores_champ/20150315_i85s.xml

| goalie1 = Andrew D'Agostini (1–1)

| goalie2 = Guillaume Nadeau (1–1)

| progression = 0–1
1–1
1–2
2–2
3–2

| goals1 =
S. Simmonds (1) – 10:01

D. Broussard (1) (N. Trecapelli, C. Amestoy) – 41:32
K. Neuber (1) (D. Broussard – 65:31

| goals2 = 9:40 – M. Tanguay-Ther (1) (G. Belanger, V. Marcoux)

25:28 – G. Asselin (1) (A. Verret, J. Rajotte)

| official = Jonathan Langille

| official2 = Mario Maillet

| linesman = Josh DeYoung

| linesman2 = Nicolas Melanson

| stadium = Scotiabank Centre, Halifax

| attendance = 2,175 (20.7%)

| penalties1 = 26

| penalties2 = 22

| shots1 = 30

| shots2 = 23

| note = Game MVPs: Kyle Neuber – (GPH) & Guillaume Asselin (UQTR)

}}

{{IceHockeybox

| bg = #eeeeee

| date = March 15, 2015

| time = 18:30 (local)

| team1 = Alberta Golden Bears #1

| team2 = UNB Varsity Reds #2

| score = 6–3

| periods = (2–0, 1–1, 3–2)

| reference = http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mice/2015/boxscores_champ/20150315_nq92.xml

| goalie1 = Kurtis Mucha (2–0)

| goalie2 = David Shantz (2–0)

| progression = 1–0
2–0
2–1
3–1
3–2
4–2
4–3
5–3
6–3

| goals1 = S. Legault (1) (Jamie Crooks, B. Ferguson) – 2:09
J. Hickmott (1) (T.J. Foster (PP) – 10:00

J. Lazo (1) (Levko Koper – 39:57

K. Reddick (1) (T. Carr, J. Rowley – 51:12

Levko Koper (1) (B. Ferguson (SH) – 57:24
J. Rowley (1)(SH) (EN) – 58:11

| goals2 =

23:04 – D. Willick (1) (M. Boudens)

47:55 – P. Maillet (1) (J. Murray, D. Fraser)

55:50 – A. Robertson (1) (P. Maillet)

| official = TJ Foster

| official2 = Jonathan Alarie

| linesman = John MacDonnell

| linesman2 = Mike MacDonnell

| stadium = Scotiabank Centre, Halifax

| attendance = 4,404 (41.9%)

| penalties1 = 14

| penalties2 = 10

| shots1 = 24

| shots2 = 9

| note = Game MVPs: Levko Koper – (ALB) & Dylan Willick (UNB)

}}

Alberta's victory was their 15th, the most by any team to date, and five more than University of Toronto Varsity Blues. It also marked the 5th time they had defended a championship title (1979, 1980, 2000, 2006, and 2015). The University of Toronto Blues held the record for title defenses at the time, with 6.

Kruise Reddick, from the Alberta Golden Bears, was selected as the Major W.J. 'Danny' McLeod Award for CIS University Cup MVP.{{cite web |url=http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mice/2015/releases/final |title=Golden Bears capture back-to-back CIS University Cup crowns |date=March 15, 2015 |publisher=Canadian Interuniversity Sport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328150354/http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mice/2015/releases/final |archive-date=March 28, 2016 |access-date=October 26, 2024}} Reddick had 3 goals (1 in each game) and 1 assist for 4 points and a +3 rating in the tournament.

Joining Reddick on the tournament All-Star team were:

• Forward: Jordan Hickmott (Alberta Golden Bears)
• Forward: Cam Braes (UNB Varsity Reds)
• Defenseman: Jesse Craig (Alberta Golden Bears)
• Defenseman: Jordan Murray (UNB Varsity Reds)
• Goalie: Andrew D'Agostini (Guelph Gryphons)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://english.cis-sic.ca/championships/mice/index Tournament website]

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