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I'll skip a full summary of the Bears' 6-1 loss to the Oilers' rookies since, reflecting what its readers' interests are, the Edmonton Journal concentrated on how the Oilers performed. The one piece of news which will have a strong impact on the Bears is that last year's leading scorer, Mike Jickling, will be out for 6-8 weeks with torn ligaments. This is not good news for a team which needs good leadership (and scoring). Below is an article previewing the season for the Bears written by Ray Turchansky in today's Edmonton Journal: GOLDEN BEARS HAVE GOOD CHANCE AT PLAYOFFS Two statistics set the scene nicely as the Alberta Golden Bears hockey team held its 1995-96 coming-out ceremony against the Edmonton Oiler rookies Thursday. Number of players, out of 26, returning from last season: 19. Number of head coaches, out of one, returning from last year: Zip. "We have a little bit of experience, not a whole lot," said Bears rookie head coach Rob Daum, who is down to 37 players including seven goalies... "We've got a lot of guys coming back, but most in their second year." ...But it may take another fact to keep the Bears from again missing the playoffs. That's the new Canada West alignment and playoff system. Instead of a one division conference of eight teams with four making the playoffs, there will be two four-team divisions with three in each division advancing. "I think it will create more exposure, it will benefit some teams that haven't been in the playoffs by giving them a chance to expose their programs, which makes the league better." The Bears' biggest hole is netminding. Scott Ironside and Derek Shybunka are gone. That allows the sole leftover from last seasons troika, Dale Masson, to assume the no. 1 job after a 2-3-1 record in nine games and a team leading 3.57 goals against average. Some missing forwards are Mark Souch, Dory Reich and Scott McDonald. In the infirmiry is Kent Simpson, out with broken ribs. The team's only double digit scorers, Paul Strand, with 18, Mike Jickling, 16, Trever Sherban, 11, and Mike Thompson, 10, are all back. ...Only Richard Groten is gone from last season's blue line corps. "I don't know if we've got one player who's jumped out," Daum said of the defence. "But a number of players in camp who weren't here last year have done a very good job--Aaron Zarowny, Dave Jesidowski, Frank Esposito, Tom Mix, Merv Hanley and Jamie Price are all over junior age. And we've got three juniors there." The question is how quickly they can gel. At least with the new playoff format, they have some time. "I think this league is so competitive, if you can make the playoffs, you can win a national championship," said Daum. END OF ARTICLE Not to reopen a thread, but I'm disappointed in the new playoff format. I'd like to see only four teams make the playoffs in each league, US or Canadian. To allow all, or virtually all teams, IMHO, cheapens the regular season. Arthur Berman [log in to unmask] GO BU!!! NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! GO GOLDEN BEARS!!! HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.