16 March 2016

Alcohol intolerance

Understanding the genetic basis for alcohol flush syndrome

JEREMIAH YARMIE, STAFF

Most individuals drink alcohol and experience a rather balanced mix of pleasant and unpleasant effects. However, some individuals have alcohol intolerance – colloquially known as alcohol flush syndrome – which makes alcohol consumption a mostly negative experience.

Between one-third to one-half of individuals of East Asian descent have alcohol intolerance. Alcohol is literally a poison; luckily for humans, the liver is adept at eliminating all sorts of poisons from the body, including alcohol.

The elimination of alcohol from the body is dependent on two liver enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Dehydrogenases are enzymes, proteins that speed up chemical reactions. They work by ripping hydrogen atoms off of the alcohol molecules.

Ripping hydrogen atoms off of molecules is the main way our body harnesses energy from the food that we eat; it liberates electrons from molecules, which are later used to drive energy-producing processes in the mitochondria of our cells.

Once alcohol enters the body, it is converted into acetaldehyde by the alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes.

Acetaldehyde is a toxic molecule and is damaging to cells and tissues. The compound is also mutagenic, which means it causes mutations in DNA. These mutations can cause cancer, making acetaldehyde carcinogenic as well. Acetaldehyde is also thought to be partially responsible for hangovers.

In turn, acetaldehyde is converted into harmless acetic acid – the same stuff found in vinegar – by the aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes, the most important of which is ALDH2. Once released, acetic acid is usually moved to the muscles or the heart, where it too is converted into energy.

The two alcohol-metabolizing enzymes are polymorphic, meaning that they have different variants between populations, which are called isoforms.

Alcohol intolerance is caused by faulty versions of these two genes, particularly ALDH2.

The mutant form of the ALDH2 gene is called ALDH2*2 and has almost no activity. Since ALDH2 cannot function to eliminate acetaldehyde, the toxic molecule accumulates in the body.

Individuals with mutant ALDH2*2 may have up to 10 times the amount of acetaldehyde as individuals with normal copies of the gene. The alcohol flush reaction is associated with increased levels of acetaldehyde.

Individuals usually experience facial flushing caused by the dilation of blood vessels, heart palpitations, nausea, itchiness, headache, and alcohol-induced asthma. These effects usually take place within an hour after consuming alcohol.

For some people, it gets worse.

Two alcohol dehydrogenase variants found in Asian populations are associated with faster alcohol metabolism. One of these variants has been shown to work up to 100 times faster than other common isoforms.

These individuals not only feel the inebriating effects of alcohol for a much shorter time period, but start accumulating acetaldehyde faster as well.

This efficient variant of alcohol dehydrogenase, compounded with improper acetaldehyde elimination by faulty ALDH2*2 enzymes, makes drinking an unpleasant experience for many individuals of Asian descent.

There are some benefits, however, and many individuals believe that these mutations arose in populations for this exact reason.

For one thing, individuals with this mutant combination are at a much lower risk for alcoholism. Moreover, ALDH2*2 has been shown to correlate with higher levels of oro-pharynx and esophagus cancer in individuals that drink.

Even despite the unpleasant side effects of alcohol intolerance, individuals will still choose to drink, often due to social pressures. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

IVORY BUFFALO

Failed UMSA candidates relieved to not have to follow up on campaign promises

MURV BERKLEY, STAFF

Several failed University of Manitoba Students’ Association (UMSA) candidates are heaving sighs of relief after having lost their bids for various positions on the student association’s executive and council.

This year’s UMSA election saw the largest field of candidates in recent history with each candidate making a number of unrealistic and untenable promises as part of their respective bids to get elected.

Stephanie Grundel, candidate for

vice-president advocacy with the UMSU Forever slate, promised to have the university administration abolish all grades below a B.

Dirk Vales, candidate for vice-president internal for the Their UMSU slate, campaigned on getting every union member their own bus through renewed negotiations with Winnipeg Transit.

International students’ representative Iqbar Jhamal managed to pull out a nar-

row loss after a tie-vote led to a recount. Jhamal told the Ivory Buffalo that he was starting to have serious concerns when early polls showed him in a dead heat with his competitor Iugbitz Grumthin.

“I promised international students that I was going to end discrimination,” said Jhamal. “I’m just so lucky I didn’t win. I don’t know what I would have done.”

“My opponent was smart. He ran on a campaign to get rid of some discrimina-

tion. Honestly, for a part-time volunteer position, even that seems optimistic.”

However, not all candidates were so lucky.

Incoming UMSA president Tara Neilson won her position after campaigning on a promise to increase student engagement on campus.

“I’ve made a terrible mistake,” the president-elect was heard mumbling, after the final results were announced.

Arts & Culture

Doubtful House debuts in new digs

U of M theatre company premieres brand-new play for grand opening of John J. Conklin Theatre

TOBI NIFESI, STAFF

The U of M’s Black Hole Theatre

Company (BHTC) is set to showcase the world premiere of a new play called Doubtful House, which will run from March 15 to 19 and 22 to 26.

Doubtful House was written by Governor General Award-winning playwright and U of M alumnus Ian Ross, and will mark the grand opening of the new BHTC theatre in Tache Hall, officially named the John J. Conklin Theatre.

Doubtful House is set in the 1930s and takes place in Manitoba House, a 1797 trading post that eventually develops into the titular district. The events of the play, which revolve around the community’s love for their

home and desire to create a better future, are reminiscent of Ross’s father’s stories about his hometown, Kinosota.

“I learned how to tell stories from my father. He would tell me all kind of wonderful stories about places I knew – that I [grew] up in – and of the past,” Ross told the Manitoban “That’s how the play began. I wanted to write something that honored him [...] and where I came from.”

Over the years, Ross has made a name for himself as a talented writer producing both politically and culturally aware works. He has mentored several young writers in honing their skills and has emphasized the impor-

tance of having a creative process.

“My creative process, whether that is acting or directing, I liken it to kind of feeding goldfish in a tank,” said Ross.

“You springe the food from the top and it kind of flows down and it settles. That is kind of what it is like for me. I discover things as I go through the process.”

Ross studied in the department of English, film, and theatre during his time at the U of M and credits Chris Johnson – Doubtful House ’s director and a professor at the university for about 35 years – with first igniting his interest in theatre.

“Chris Johnson is the man who

inspired me to go into theatre as a student at the University of Manitoba,” said Ross.

“He basically forced me – and I do not mean this in a bad way – to perform a play that I had written, which led me to being a playwright.”

This play marks the first time Johnson and Ross will work together.

Over the years, the relationship between the two has evolved from teacher-student to coworkers, and the duo relishes the opportunity to collaborate on Doubtful House

“Oh, he is definitely my coworker now,” Johnson told the Manitoban

“Working with Ross is like working with an old friend.”

As the play’s director, Johnson focuses on getting the cast to perform with conviction, confidence, and energy.

“We are always looking for how well students work together. We don’t cast individuals, we cast a cast.”

Doubtful House’s cast is comprised of both past and present BHTC members. Johnson believes the varying levels of experience amongst the students will only work in their favour, and will help the actors become better at their craft.

“At most universities you will have class productions, which means that nobody has more experience that you. There are some real limitations with that,” said Johnson.

“I like the way we do things [...] All along, it has been encouraged for alumni to come back. It creates a better learning experience for the students.”

Doubtful House will run for 10 days in total, with a two-day break on the 20th and 21st. According to Johnson, back-to-back performances of this kind of length are key to an actor’s education and experience.

“There are things about acting that you can’t do anywhere else except in front of an audience,” Johnson explained.

“That is one of the reasons we have 10-day runs – which is a very substantial run and is more than a lot of universities do – because we have students [who need] to experience several audiences.”

For three decades, Johnson has been pushing for a change in stage venue and with the grand opening of the John J. Conklin Theatre, he’s anticipating immediate improvements in the university’s theatre program.

“It’s pretty common practice at other universities to have actors visit and perform shows at the university theatre. Our theatre program has had to struggle with a really inadequate space,” said Johnson.

“I think the students and faculty will be able to do better work in a better theatre [...] The old Black Hole certainly helped to develop concentration because the audience was so close to the stage, but ultimately it wasn’t very comfortable.”

Johnson hopes that the English, film, and theatre department will push on from the progress made and develop better programs to educate students on creative writing, dramaturgy, and directing.

Tickets to Doubtful House are $12 for students and seniors, $15 otherwise. To make a reservation, call 204-474-6880 or email tickets@bhtc.ca. For more info, visit www.bhtc.ca

School of art sessions on still life photography

U of M alum Laura Letinsky returns to exhibition for artist talk, week of workshopping

OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

Laura Letinsky – a U of M alumna and University of Chicago professor – has returned to her alma mater to display some of her still life photography in an exhibition called Laura Letinksy: Still Life Photographs, 1997-2012 at the U of M’s school of art gallery.

Still life photography is the depiction of inanimate objects with design elements based on arrangement, lighting, and composition.

For her school of art gallery exhibit, Letinsky seems to emphasize a monochromatic minimalism as the chief design element at play.

Entering the exhibit, your focus is immediately drawn to two turquoise accent walls in a primarily white room.

The photographs are in white frames with white borders, white backgrounds, and coloured accents – much like the room. The photographs are all labelled as “untitled,” each with a depiction of an object on a white table in a white room.

Letinsky was born in Winnipeg and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts (honours) from the school of art. She continued her education at Yale University’s school of art to receive her master of fine arts in 1991.

Letinsky will return to Winnipeg for the exhibition’s reception and artist talk on March 17, and to teach a five-day photography workshop, “ Shallow, neither flat nor deep,” at the school of art from March 14 to 18. Her work has been featured and admired at famous galleries worldwide including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, and the Netherlands Foto Institute, among many others.

Though she has a remarkable resume, my appreciation for the gallery reached its peak when I

tried to take a photograph of the gallery itself. The accent walls were my fruit and strewn pastries and the white walls were the perfect background to create my own Letinsky.

It was difficult, to say the least, trying to get an appealing composition with so little to work with. Letinsky made it all look so simple, yet dynamic. Her pictures of table scraps and broken dishes – which are, at times, barely visible – are simply beautiful.

Letinsky made it all look so simple, yet dynamic

The nature of the photographs seems to parallel many popular Instagram feeds today with minimalism being one of the most common features. The gallery is quite an experience in itself, almost like being in one of her photographs. Once you get used to the layout of the photographs, Letinsky throws in a few tricks of the eye and mind that take a second to understand and recover from. The few pages of notes in the guest book give the gallery high praises, and interesting insight on the thoughts of students and other visitors.

Laura Letinsky: Still Life Photographs, 1997-2012 will be featured in the School of Art Gallery until April 1. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. with no charge for admission. For more information, email gallery@umanitoba.ca

Cultivating a generation of art lovers

ArtScene Winnipeg hosts first ArtCollect event to promote local art

LAUREN SIDDALL, STAFF

On March 23, ArtScene

Winnipeg is putting on the first instalment of their new ArtCollect series at Fools & Horses coffee shop. ArtScene, an extension of Business for the Arts, is a network of young professionals across the country interested in supporting the arts. The series will focus on starting out your art collection as a young professional, the local art market,

and why engaging with local art is important.

“The idea is engaging with young professionals or young working Winnipeggers and thinking a little bit about developing their artistic taste.

One thing we all do when we finish university is buy our first place or move into our first apartment, and we start thinking about what we want to put on our walls,” said Jane Helbrecht,

ArtScene Winnipeg member.

“Most of us head out to IKEA or HomeSense, or wherever, and we stock up on a few prints. We want to give people some further information about how they can consider thinking a little more deeply about art and how they invest in art, even when they are on a pretty limited budget, and specifically to think a little bit about how to support and invest in local art.”

The evening will begin informally with drinks and appetizers, then Sarah Swan – U of M fine arts graduate and organizer of First Fridays in Winnipeg – will talk about how to develop a taste in art, specifically as a young professional or someone on a limited budget. After Swan, a local artist will discuss the local art scene and market, the work they do, how people can start thinking about investing in local art, and why it is important.

While this event is the first ArtCollect event to take place in Winnipeg, Helbrecht hopes to see it progress into a regular workshop series. Potential subsequent workshops might include visits and tours

of local art galleries, as well as small tours around the homes of some young professionals who have significantly invested in local art. The main thing, says Helbrecht, is exposure and cultivating the next generation to have a similar appreciation for the arts.

“Cities aren’t made vibrant by their policies, they’re made vibrant by activities, arts and culture, and things that people can do in the city” – Jane Helbrecht, ArtScene Winnipeg member

“We’ve got this amazing city that’s sort of figuring itself out a little bit right now. One of the things we’ve

Fey’s Whiskey Tango Foxtrot succeeds on shoulders of cast

Comedy vet carries based-on-a-true-story military drama

JESS KOSTUIK, VOLUNTEER STAFF

For many years, Tina Fey has been a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world. Beginning with her breakout in 1995 when she first joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, Fey later went on to become the head

writer of the show. Since then, Fey has continued to create many more hilarious projects, from the acclaimed television show 30 Rock to teen blockbuster Mean Girls There is no denying her incredible

talent. However, when considering which actress to cast in a drama depicting a journalist covering the war in Afghanistan, Fey may not be at the top of your list.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is based on real journalist, Kim Barker, who recounted her experiences in her book The Taliban Shuffle Whiskey Tango Foxtrot was adapted from the book by Robert Carlock – a long-time writing partner of Fey – and was directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (Crazy, Stupid, Love).

Like Barker’s book, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is not approached as a typical war story. Comedy, romance, drama, and action are just a few of the genres the movie aims to conquer.

Fey plays Barker, a journalist asked to move to Afghanistan to cover the war. Barker – who has no kids and is unmarried – is an obvious choice for the job and initially intends on staying in Afghanistan for only three months, but ends up staying for three years.

The job does not start off very smoothly. Upon arriving in Afghanistan, she has serious problems adjusting to the cultural differences. But, with help from friends, Barker is quick to learn the ropes.

Barker’s friends include fellow reporter Tanya Vanderpoel (Margot

Robbie), no-nonsense General Hollanek (Billy Bob Thornton), and photographer/charming love interest Iain MacKelpie (Martin Freeman).

It is the performances by the cast, led by the remarkable Tina Fey, that are the only consistent factors throughout the film

During the day, Barker and co. tag along with the Marines to conflict areas to report their stories. At night, they hop from bar to bar, drinking and partying in order to cope with what they saw earlier that day.

The entire supporting cast works wonders as each of their characters, with Robbie and Freeman particularly nailing their roles.

Also among the supporting players is the great Christopher Abbot, who plays Fahim Ahmadzai, Barker’s driver. It makes almost no sense to cast Abbot, an American, in the role of an Afghan man, but he succeeds in his portrayal nonetheless and adds

always done really well is our arts and culture, and we want to make sure that continues and that we support it. Cities aren’t made vibrant by their policies, they’re made vibrant by activities, arts and culture, and things that people can do in the city,” said Helbrecht.

“I think that it’s one of the unique advantages that Winnipeg has – we have a huge art community and we have a lot of people interested in the art community. But a constant challenge for any individual artist or art institution is that as people age, who are going to be the next supporters and the next patrons of the arts? Doing these types of events is really about making sure that we’re cultivating that next generation of supporters to make sure our city keeps doing what it’s doing.”

The first ArtsCollect workshop takes place on March 23 at Fools & Horses (379 Broadway) from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are available at artscollectwinnipeg.eventbrite.ca

great emotional depth to the film. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot tries to take on a lot, attempting shifts between many genres with little notice. Individually, each of the tones at least subsist within the film, which excels in its comedic moments.

Still, the shifts in tone are choppy and disorderly, ultimately failing to form a logical theme. It is the performances by the cast – led by the remarkable Fey – that are the only consistent factors throughout the film. We expect Fey to pull off the comedy, but she goes even further to give a thoughtful, well-developed performance through all themes of the film. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is far from perfect, although I appreciate its attempt to create something unique in a market filled with remakes and sequels. Ultimately, it’s a solid film, held together by great performances and sublime comedy.

Visit www.cinemaclock.com to view all showtimes for Whiskey Tango Foxtrot at theatres in Winnipeg.

Bisons’ historic run comes to an end in Calgary

Men’s basketball falls to Dinos, Thunderbirds at Canada West Final Four

MIKE STILL, STAFF

T

he University of Manitoba Bisons men’s basketball program entered playoff action this past weekend in slightly unfamiliar territory – as they’d never been to a Canada West Final Four in program history. In order to move on to nationals, Manitoba needed to knock off topranked Calgary this past Friday night – the team that was hosting the Final Four. Unfortunately, the herd was outmatched by a squad with far more depth off the bench and a hometown crowd that had an impact.

The loss, coupled with a Thompson Rivers victory over the CIS nationals hosting UBC Thunderbirds earlier that same evening, meant that the Bisons’ chances of making it to the big dance were officially eliminated by the end of day one.

Friday vs Calgary

The Bisons opened up an early 14-4 lead in the first quarter against the home squad, only to see the prehistorics get hot from three-point range and close the opening 10 min-

utes on a 21-6 run. The 25-20 score after the opening quarter was as close as Manitoba would get from then on, as the Dinos used a strong shooting performance to cruise to a 10074 win.

Calgary went 8-of-18 overall from the perimeter, led by reserve guard Jhony Verrone, who scored nine of his 11 points from the threepoint range. Fellow guards Jasdeep Gill and Torrez McKoy also made an impact off the bench, contributing 11 and nine points respectively. As a whole, the Dinos had 42 points off the bench, compared to just 18 for Manitoba as Ilarion Bonhomme II and Jonathan Alexander were both negated for the most part, netting just nine combined points. The visitors did have three play-

ers in double figures in scoring, with Justus Alleyn, Brett Jewell, and AJ

Despite the unfortunate end to the season, Manitoba can be happy knowing they accomplished something no other men’s basketball team has done for the herd since entering Canada West play – make it to the Final Four

Basi recording 11, 12, and 17 points individually. Unfortunately for Manitoba, there wasn’t enough consistency as all three players did most of their damage in the first half. Calgary, on the other hand, was led by starting guards Thomas Cooper and David Kapinga, who scored 27 and 23 points respectively and were unstoppable for most of the night. Kapinga was the biggest X-factor, as he didn’t play when the two teams met earlier on in the sea-

son. His scoring touch mixed with his strong defensive play were both invaluable this time around. The herd was also cold from the free throw line, shooting just 58.3 per cent from the charity stripe. This was a critical factor in the first quarter specifically, where Manitoba got to the line 13 times, but for the most part were unsuccessful attaining the single points.

Saturday vs UBC

With a shot at nationals eliminated, Manitoba entered Saturday’s game against the T-Birds with a slightly different mindset, knowing that the only thing left to play for was a Canada West bronze medal. Head coach Kirby Schepp spread out his bench, as 10 different players saw at least 10 minutes of game action. The

Hot takes with Steltsy and Still

Discussing the Stanley Cup and Canada’s contribution, as well as the pressure of being a student journalist

MIKE STILL AND RYAN STELTER, STAFF

This week, Ryan vented about Canadian players in the NHL and how integral they’ve been on certain Stanley Cup-winning teams, while Mike provided his two cents on what he feels is the main difference between professional media compared to student journalists.

Canada and the Stanley Cup Recently, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to the White

House to discuss politics and the like with U.S. President Barack Obama. When addressing the media, Obama decided to take a jab at Trudeau and Canada as a whole by saying that the Stanley Cup was in his hometown of Chicago and not Canada. Somehow that is supposed to mean that Americans are better at hockey than Canadians.

Trudeau rightfully made a jab back, saying that Canada gifted the

Blackhawks with Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, and Patrick Sharp –who, by the way, Mr. Prime Minister, is with the Dallas Stars now.

Who cares if a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since Montreal in 1993? Why does that matter? Canadians make up the majority of the NHL, and a littleknown fact is that each player gets to take the Cup home with them for at least a day when their team wins.

So it doesn’t matter if an American team wins, since Canadians will be taking it home with them regardless.

This topic has been of particular importance to many Canadians lately, because not a single Canadian team is in the playoffs. So instead, take a look at some of the American teams and you’ll find two Winnipeggers on the Blackhawks, for example, as well as a kid from Kenora, Ont. on the Capitals, and a guy from St. Andrews, Man. on the Red Wings. Go cheer for them and you might see the Cup this summer.

Get over yourselves, Canada, it’s not a big deal. Canadian cities don’t deserve the playoffs anymore than American ones do. Cut this superiority complex when it comes to the game of hockey.

Professional media vs. student media

As my time with the Manitoban comes to a close, I sit in reflection, reminiscing on the tremendous three years I’ve been able to have with the paper. There is a ton of amazing memories I can think of, but there is also one that sticks out as a negative – that being an article I wrote at the end of last year entitled “Lead by example,” which detailed verbal harassment complaints from a few players on the women’s volleyball team in 2014-15 against their coach, Ken Bentley.

The reason I state this as a nega-

season came to a close on a losing note though, as UBC rode a 30-point first quarter to come out with the 10172 win.

Versatile forward Conor Morgan was the MVP for UBC, netting a game-high 28 points on 7-of-8 shooting from three-point range, while the Bisons’ leading scorer was Keith Omoerah with 13.

Despite the unfortunate end to the season, Manitoba can be happy knowing they accomplished something no other men’s basketball team has done for the herd since entering Canada West play – make it to the Final Four. With the majority of the team returning for 2016-17, the Bisons will likely be right in the mix yet again.

tive is that the athlete who originally came forward to my reporter at the time had to do so anonymously out of fear of being discovered.

As a student who’s around the same age as these athletes, my mindset is different when I run through the possibility of saying something negative about Bison sports.

First, I hold the well-being of my peer at stake – someone whose shoes I could easily put myself into, being a similar age, and in the most recent case, someone I consider a good friend. Second, I also face the possibility of tremendous scrutiny from coaches and directors who are several decades my elder and at times, simply see me as someone that can be “swayed” from writing a negative piece, because they believe they know more about the situation at hand (which isn’t always the case).

This isn’t an issue for professional media for the most part, as they have established a reputation, and even if a negative piece comes out, it’s understood that the writer was simply doing their job.

I find it’s a lot harder to get to the heart of the matter when dealing with internal issues at the university sporting level, and it can be very frustrating when your search for the truth is compromised, simply because you’re a student who hasn’t officially “made it” yet.

The best of Bison volleyball

Highlighting some of the key moments, plays, and individual recognition from the 2015-16 season

RYAN STELTER, STAFF

The University of Manitoba Bisons volleyball teams had opposite seasons, with the men enjoying more success than the women. The men crashed out of the Canada West Final Four while the women failed to qualify for the playoffs, but both teams had positives and the Manitoban outlined some of the best moments this volleyball season – five from each team.

Men

8-0 start

The men got off to a fantastic start, winning their first eight games and dropping only a combined five sets during that streak. During the second week of the season in a series against UBC, Adam Dejonckheere smacked home 24 kills – his best output of the season. DeJonckheere was notorious for his cheeky tips over the net, fooling a number of opposing teams’ defenses. The win streak helped send a message to everyone not only in the Canada West conference but the entire CIS that the herd was going to be a powerhouse.

Ridiculous rallies

This was a recurring theme all year long, as the men had an uncanny ability to make plays out of absolutely nothing. Many times you would see Caleb Hickok make a diving dig to keep a play alive, and in a playoff game against Mount Royal, Devren Dear went underneath the net and into the crowd to keep the rally going. The Bisons would eventually score a point on that same rally. Through an organized defense and some amazing athletic ability, Manitoba always managed to steal momentum after winning a long point.

Comeback against Winnipeg Games against the University of Winnipeg are always a treat to watch, as bragging rights are on the line and the intensity is always ratcheted up. When the Wesmen visited Investors Group Athletic Centre on Feb. 6 they were eager to avenge their loss in the Duckworth Challenge. They started off hot by taking the first two sets, but the Bisons dug deep (no pun intended) and fought back to win 3-2 . It was a nail-biting affair and great showcase of the talent of these volleyball players in Manitoba.

Decisive kills

How can you write a top five about the Bison volleyball team without mentioning Devren Dear? The sixfoot-five outside hitter was a monster all year, punishing teams with his ability to smack the volleyball. Dear led the Bisons with 349 kills on the year, averaging 4.37 kills per set, which was good enough to rank third best in the Canada West. The Bisons had so much attacking threat on the court at once that even if it wasn’t Dear smacking home kills it was DeJonckheere or Mr. Reliable,

Kenny Rooney.

The trio were first, second, and third in kills for the Bisons as DeJonckheere had 278 and Rooney had 168.

Return to the Final Four

After a successful regular season, the Bisons managed to get themselves to the Final Four for the first time since 2011-12. Although it was not an ideal outcome, with the Bisons failing to win a single set, it only builds confidence for next year. In the playoffs we also saw the emergence of Scott Vercaigne, who played very well in his games. He managed a start against Mount Royal in the quarterfinals, where he excelled with 14 kills and four digs.

He also registered six kills in the semifinals against Saskatchewan.

Women

First win

It took five games, but the women managed to get their first win of the season against the Grant MacEwan Griffins with an impressive 3-1 display. It was a scrappy performance, but nonetheless it was a victory. The women didn’t play as well as they may have wanted to in 2015-16, but this was a big accomplishment for them to get that monkey off their back. Tori Studler played some of her best volleyball that weekend, as she hit a combined 26 kills between the two games.

The Bujan sisters Manitoba had a pair of athletes who consistently played well for them night in and night out. Haille and

Cassie Bujan were both shining lights for the Bisons this year. Cassie led the herd with 192 digs this season, and really started to step it up in the latter half of the season. Haille finished second on the Bisons in kills with 146.

Booker’s excellent rookie season

Sydney Booker didn’t grab all the headlines this season, with no flashy kills or diving digs, but her setting abilities were second to none. You cannot hear the ball ever touch her hands when she lays up a set for one of her hitters. Booker earned herself a spot on the Canada West AllRookie team with her fantastic play.

She averaged 6.44 assists per set and led Manitoba with 393 assists.

Dobie’s digs

A veteran of the Bison squad, Caleigh Dobie was a rock for Manitoba this year, as she was constantly foiling opposing teams’ attacks with her digs. Many times, Dobie would provide some clutch digs to keep the rally alive and help gain momentum. In a game against Saskatchewan early in the season, Dobie put up an astonishing 23 digs, her best of the season. A leader on this relatively young squad, she’ll look to lead the Bisons to greater success next season.

Finishing on a high note

After a relatively disappointing season, the women were able to throw all that out the window and play with pride in their final game of the year against the Calgary Dinos. The Bisons played a back-and-forth, tight game but ended the season with a 3-2 win. Studler had 22 kills that night, her best output of the year for a single game. Cassie Bujan also saved her best for last, with a 23-dig performance. There is plenty to look forward to for this Manitoba team, and they can take the confidence from that win into next season.

The best of Bisons hockey

Looking at some of the biggest storylines, plays, and moments from the 2015-16 season

ANDY CHE & RYAN STELTER, STAFF

T

he 2015-16 season for the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team was an interesting one to follow. The Bisons were the youngest team in the Canada West and managed a fourth place finish with a 13-13-2 record before getting upset in the first round of the playoffs. The women fared much better than their male counterparts in the postseason, riding two upsets to make it to the conference final. Below are a few of the highlights from the 2015-16 campaign for each team.

Men

Double threat in net

The Bisons had quite the goaltending tandem this season. Both Justin Paulic and Byron Spriggs played exceptionally well. Paulic’s highlights

included a marvelous 46-save performance against a very good Alberta team, as well as playing all three games against the Calgary Dinos in their quarterfinal series. Spriggs was solid for the herd as well, posting 3.50 GAA and a .895 save percentage. With Paulic being a rookie and Spriggs entering his third year next year, Manitoba looks to be set in between the pipes in the coming years.

Jordan DePape’s sensational season

The 23 year old co-captain of the Bisons showcased his brilliant offensive talents this year. He racked up 41 points in 28 games (19G, 22A), earning himself the Canada West scoring title. DePape also went on a ridiculous 15 game point streak – the longest

in the Canada West. DePape only failed to register a point in four games. A gifted winger, DePape came up big at many points throughout the year scoring key goals and leading by example on the ice.

DePape was also named a Canada West First Team All-Star to cap off his great year.

Besting the Bears

Manitoba seemed to have the Alberta Golden Bears’ number this year, as they took seven out of a possible eight points against the traditional powerhouses of not only the Canada West, but the CIS. It was the first time since the 1929-30 season that the Bisons won a season series against Alberta. When the Bears came to town on the weekend of Jan. 8-9, the Bisons were able to put on two

incredible performances to beat the Bears: a 7-4 offensive shootout one night, then a 3-2 defensive lockdown where Paulic stole the show with 46 saves. It was the first time since 196465 that Alberta were unable to win in Manitoba.

Red hot rookies

Bisons head coach Mike Sirant did some great recruiting this past off season, bringing in a number of young players. The Bisons had 11 rookies on their roster this year, and two rookies in particular were able to make an impact.

Brett Stovin finished fourth in rookie scoring with 26 points in 28 games (12G, 14A) with 15 of those points coming on an 11-game point streak, while Adam Henry slotted right into the Bisons’ top defensive pairing and looked like a seasoned veteran. Henry finished 14th among defensemen with 14 points. The pair earned themselves a spot on the Canada West All-Rookie team as well.

Playoff

exit

This doesn’t seem like a very positive thing to talk about, as the Bisons were upset in a three game series against the fifth-placed Calgary Dinos. Manitoba learned a lot in that series, though, and as a young team, there is nothing but positives to draw from this experience. Sirant said it best after the Bisons lost 6-1 in game three to eliminate them from playoff contention: “We’re feeling a lot of pain right now, but the pain we suffer now will only make us stronger for next season.”

Women

Sharman leads again

Even though she’s just in her second year, Alanna Sharman is emerging as a true leader. After leading the CIS in regular season points as a rookie, Sharman has managed to be a point-leader again as a sophomore. Despite an 18-point drop in her performance this season, she topped the Bisons in goals with 10 and assists with 12.

Kirkup’s homecoming

Karissa Kirkup is back home in Manitoba after a brief career at the University of Maine and MinnesotaDuluth. A member of the U22 Canadian team, Kirkup opened her Bisons account as a successor of former captain Maggie Litchfield-Medd. Wearing the number 15 jersey formerly occupied by Litchfield-Medd, Kirkup did not disappoint. She co-led the team with 15 points in 28 games.

Comeback home opener

The Bisons got their season off to the right start after a 2-1 comeback win in the home opener. The game was tied at zero until Natasha Steblin scored to give the Pandas a 1-0 lead in the third.

Alanna Sharman tied the game and Lauryn Keen scored with three minutes remaining to cap off a victorious comeback win.

Hovi scores four

It’s not every day that a player scores four goals in a CIS game. The Bisons got to experience it, however, when Venla Hovi scored two doubles against Calgary in a 5-0 win. The four goals were scored three different ways, including even strength, shorthanded, and on the powerplay.

Playoff OT thrillers

In back-to-back playoff series, Manitoba was able to steal victory away from their opponent, in both cases in impressive fashion.

In the quarterfinals, the herd emerged victorious in the longest game in Canada West history. The Saskatchewan Huskies and Manitoba Bisons stood at a 1-1 deadlock before Venla Hovi played the role of overtime hero. The Finn’s goal at 9:02 of fifth overtime rewrote the history books as the Bisons progressed into the conference semi-finals of the Canada West playoffs.

After eliminating the Saskatchewan Huskies in three games during the first round of the CanWest playoffs, the Bisons took their next opponents Alberta to the same stage of the series. In an actionpacked game three, the Bisons led 3-2 before Sasha Lutz scored an equalizer for the Pandas with 14 seconds left in regulation.

The game was settled in the first overtime period by the Bisons’ Alexandra Anderson at the 4:31 mark.

From the Olympics to overtime hero

The story of Bisons women’s hockey forward Venla Hovi

ANDY CHE, STAFF

F

rom time to time, the CIS is blessed with the presence of international stars in women’s hockey. In 2011, Canadian heroine Hayley Wickenheiser kicked off her CIS career with Calgary, while Russia’s Iya Gavrilova also joined the Dinos three years ago. This season, Venla Hovi joined the University of Manitoba Bisons from Finland.

As she would go on to prove in her debut campaign as a CIS athlete, her arrival was integral to the Bisons’ season. The departure of captain Maggie Litchfield-Medd at the end of last season left a gap in the team’s frontline – a role which Hovi was enthusiastic to fill.

Becoming a Bison

First impressions of the University of Manitoba left Hovi with an eagerness to eventually don the Bisons’ colors.

“I used my Canadian contacts to ask about the program,” said Hovi. “I had a good feeling about the team and school based on my Skype calls with coach Jon Rempel.”

That was all it took for Hovi, who inked a deal with the Bisons in the summer of 2015.

The decision to pursue a degree in extended education was costly for the 28-year old, as the native of Tampere, Finland was a star in the SM-sarja – the top tier of Finnish women’s hockey – before taking the student athlete route in North America.

A product of Finland

Hovi was a dynamic point-producer in Finnish women’s league hockey, amassing 208 points in 205 regular season games. Her postseason totals were just as distinctive, with 34 goals and 26 assists in 66 games.

Her most successful season saw her average over two points per game with 53 points in 26 appearances, and she even made a trip to North America in 2006 to perform for one season with the North Dakota Fighting Sioux of the NCAA.

The playing level in the CIS was

a change for the nine-season veteran of the SM-sarja.

“I’d say that CIS hockey is more straightforward than playing in the Finnish league,” said Hovi. “The teams are very even and competitive.”

Alanna Sharman played provider and Hovi beat Huskies goalie Cassidy Hendricks at 9:02 of the fifth OT, sending Manitoba into the next playoff round and cementing her place in CIS history

Playing in the top-tier of Finland had always been an aspiration of Hovi’s. In her hometown of Tampere, the SM-sarja became a stomping ground for the five-foot-seven forward to achieve her hockey goals.

“I’ve always wanted to play hockey at the top level and the Finnish league was a great league to improve and reach my goals,” said Hovi.

Ascending in leadership

With the captaincy vacant in the Bisons’ lineup, there is a real possibility of a promotion in team leadership for Hovi next season. Coming off just one season in the CIS, her experience and leadership already speak volumes for a group of developing players, most of whom are just coming off their second year of eligibility.

It wasn’t long ago that Hovi herself was a developing star in Finland. She was surrounded by veterans who she learned from, despite an enormous age gap.

“I learned so much from playing with older players,” said Hovi. “The age of the players vary from 14 to 40 in most teams.”

Before long, Hovi had developed

into a leader herself. By 2012, she had earned the alternate captain’s “A” on her sweater when she laced up for KalPa in Puolio. The next season she was promoted to full-time captain.

Olympics

The 2010 Olympics saw Team Finland clinch a bronze medal in women’s hockey, where Hovi contributed with two goals in the first two games. Hovi’s second goal ended up as the game-winner in a 2-1 matchup against China.

Finland ranked second in the group and medaled in the top three after their 3-2 overtime win against Sweden. It was the national women’s team’s second bronze medal in four Olympic tournaments.

The festivities hosted in Canada were especially memorable for the members of Finland’s women’s hockey team. For Hovi, the city of Vancouver will forever play an extravagant part in her hockey career.

“I remember the great crowd, my first two Olympic goals and our bronze medal,” said Hovi. “The city itself was a great experience and I remember getting my Olympic tattoo in Vancouver.”

A veteran turned sophomore

Having already experienced one season in the NCAA, Hovi opened her career with the Manitoba Bisons with a rough idea of the style of play in the CIS.

Following a three-game pointless streak to kick off her CIS career, Hovi netted four goals on Oct. 31, 2015 against the Calgary Dinos. The Bisons won the game 5-0.

Despite being in just her second year of North American experience, Hovi displayed a consistent point production for the remainder of the 2015-16 regular season. She finished with seven goals, six assists, and 13 points in 17 games.

The Bisons’ #9 displayed even greater tenacity in the postseason, registering another 13 points. This time, it took her only nine games to do so. In addition to contributing

greatly to the Bisons’ near-Cinderella run in the Canada West conference, it was one of her six postseason goals that ranks above and beyond any other she has ever scored to date.

There might not be many goals that top that moment for Hovi during the remainder of her CIS career. However, with three years left in her eligibility, there will be plenty of time for the Manitoba Bisons to find out

The historic goal

Manitoba were on the road against Saskatchewan in the first round of the Canada West playoffs this season. After dropping the first game in the best-of-three series, the Bisons responded with a 5-1 win in game two. Manitoba then took the Huskies to a decisive game three.

The score was tied 1-1 heading into

overtime with goals from Manitoba’s Lauryn Keen and Saskatchewan’s Lauren Zary. Four overtime periods had passed as the Huskies outshot the Bisons 67-41. Game three entered an everlasting fifth overall period – the second longest game in CIS history. Hovi stepped up and snatched the headlines for the visiting Bisons. From the moment overtime hit, she had the belief she could make herself a hero.

“I kept telling myself that I need one good chance and I can do it,” said Hovi.

Alanna Sharman played provider and Hovi beat Huskies goalie Cassidy Hendricks at 9:02 of the fifth OT, sending Manitoba into the next playoff round and cementing her place in CIS history.

“The goal was a result of a great team effort,” said Hovi. “I saw that everyone was very tired and I was feeling pretty good, and had a good feeling about our line. It was a great pass from Alanna Sharman and I managed to get a good shot.”

There might not be many goals that top that moment for Hovi during the remainder of her CIS career. However, with three years left in her eligibility, there will be plenty of time for herself and the Manitoba Bisons to find out.

Professional soccer could work in Canada

A Canadian Premier League might be on the way and there’s no reason why it wouldn’t succeed

RYAN STELTER, STAFF

In an article in the Hamilton Spectator that appeared in June 2013, it was announced that the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL would partner up to host a team in a potential Canadian soccer league. The prospect of a professional soccer league in Canada is very exciting and would definitely be a positive for the country.

Soccer League team – set post-season attendance records.

In late 2015 during a 2018 World Cup qualifier, the Canadian men’s national team also garnered 20,000 people in their massive 1-0 win over Honduras. That record will most likely be broken when Canada takes on Mexico at home on March 25.

“A

professional league would be nothing but good for Canadian

soccer, as it would make it easier for your average Canadian to access the sport”

your average Canadian to access the sport.

The logistics of the league have not been decided yet, as we don’t know how many teams there will be or if it will be its own league or a division of the North American Soccer League (NASL). Winnipeg has the potential to host a team with the venue at Investors Group Field being more than acceptable.

Canadian soccer has taken a lot of great strides in the past few years, and this will only add to the growth of the game. There is no reason as to why Canada cannot become a soccer superpower when a country like the Netherlands only has 16.8 million people yet they have been to three World Cup finals.

The interest is there and there are enough fans here to support a league.

On top of the World Cup, Toronto FC had the fourth highest attendance in the MLS last season, while the Ottawa Fury – a North American

You may be wondering why Canada would ever want a professional soccer league, but if you look at the numbers, it makes sense. This past women’s World Cup broke new attendance records, with 1.3 million people attending numerous matches throughout Canada. An average of 26,000 people attended each match. The quarterfinal match between England and Canada saw 3.2 million people tune in on TV in Canada.

Since the inception of the MLS in the United States, their national team has seen a lot of improvement, producing some elite level talent that have played in various top leagues in Europe. A professional league would be nothing but good for Canadian soccer, as it would make it easier for

A soccer league in Canada is a tremendous prospect, and soccer fans in Canada should be very excited. The only thing I ask is that you go out and support it if it comes around, as there is still a very real possibility that the league could flop within a couple years. I believe Canadian soccer fans deserve a league and would welcome it with open arms.

Heritage Classic might be just what Edmonton and Winnipeg need

Nostalgia brings new hope for two ailing franchises

ANDY CHE, STAFF

T

he Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets can absorb some valuable inspiration with the upcoming Heritage Classic, set to take place on Oct. 22 and 23, 2016. For two young franchises with extended periods of mediocrity in recent years, a series honouring some of the NHL’s greatest players and histories of all time could prove to be beneficial for the developing stars of the modern generation.

From 1982 to 1990, the Oilers and Jets met in the Stanley Cup playoffs six times, adding fuel to a rivalry dating back to the WHA days. The matchups featured some of the best NHLers of the 1980s – the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, Mark Messier, and Thomas Steen. Both franchises can now relive the golden days in different perspectives with Gretzky, Hawerchuk, and company returning to the ice one more time.

Since reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2006, the Edmonton Oilers have failed to reach a similar level of success. Despite possessing the talented and fairly experienced crop of Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Jordan Eberle, the Oilers have found themselves consistently hitting the NHL’s basement.

The Heritage Classic could serve as a reminder of what the modern Oilers may become one day. It’s hard not to think of Oilers centre Connor McDavid’s generational talents as a second coming of Gretzky, while Hall’s two-way style resembles that of right winger Glenn Anderson, and goaltender Laurent Brossoit’s upside could one day match the longevity displayed by Grant Fuhr.

While the Oilers will likely take a nostalgic perspective for the Heritage Classic, the Jets will take more of a modern outlook based on the history of the franchise.

Winnipeg has never been involved in a novelty-themed hockey series since the original Jets took on the Soviet national team in the late 1970s.

The Heritage Classic will certainly put the modern Jets amongst the class of NHL clubs deemed “prestigious” enough to be recognized for such an occasion. In recent years, storied franchises such as Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Boston have earned themselves a nostalgic event.

For the longlived history of the Winnipeg Jets, recognition and celebration is certainly long overdue

Even though the original Winnipeg franchise rests in the deserts of Arizona, its remnants still remain embedded in the city that gave birth to its history. When the original Jets departed for Phoenix in 1996, it appeared that

most of the modern generation would have forgotten the greats that once wore the original Winnipeg Jets sweater. The alumni game set to take place on Oct. 22 will enable history to repeat itself, and despite the fact that the Jets succumbed to the nearly unstoppable dynasty of Oilers in the playoffs, their valiant efforts from the 1980s will now be celebrated over 35 years later.

In a much larger picture, it now means all seven Canadian teams will have participated in an outdoor game in their history. It’s even more impressive in the case of the contemporary Winnipeg Jets, who were absent from the NHL scene for 15 years. After just five seasons following a return to the NHL, the heart of the Prairies will take part in a game meant to celebrate their franchise history.

It’s fair to say that other franchises that have achieved great success in the modern era such as Dallas and Tampa Bay are worthy of an outdoor game. Yet, for the long-lived history of the Winnipeg Jets, recognition and celebration is certainly long overdue.