Huskies look for wins against bitter rival

In what could be an early preview of the Canada West men’s hockey final, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies look to steal two wins over the reigning CIS champion University of Alberta Golden Bears on the weekend at Rutherford Rink.

The Huskies sit on top of the Canada West standings with a 5-2-1 record, while the Golden Bears have begun the season 3-1. Alberta’s only loss came to the University of Calgary on October 11 7-1, a night after they had beat the Dinos 6-1. The Huskies have split the last three weekends — first against the University of Regina, then the University of Manitoba and last weekend against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

In Lethbridge last weekend, five different Huskies scored the six goals on the weekend in a 7-2 loss and a 4-3 win. Alberta enters the games after a 4-0 shutout and a 5-2 win over the UBC Thunderbirds.

Last season, the two teams met four times in the regular season with three of those finished in overtime — all in Alberta’s favour. The other game finished with a 3-1 Alberta victory. They also met again in the Canada West men’s hockey final where the Bears stomped over the Huskies 8-3 and then 5-0.

The Huskies boast the top two scorers in the Canada West. Rookie Steven DaSilva has three goals and 12 assists in eight games this season, and linemate Steven Gillen has seven goals and five assists including a hat trick in a game against Manitoba on October 10. Alberta has five players with five or more points — Ian McDonald (6), Brian Woolger (5), Kyle Fecho (5), Chad Klassen (5) and Shaden Moore (5).

Alberta goaltender Real Cyr has a 2.45 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. Saskatchewan’s netminder Jeff Harvey has a 3.32 GAA and a .863 save percentage with a 3-0-1 record.

Game times are 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at Rutherford Rink.

Huskies’ Harvey out to prove goaltending naysayers wrong

“What’s up?” Jeff Harvey casually asks. “Your team’s goals-against,” the reporter replies. Ouch. Inrecentweeks,thegoals-againstaverage fortheUniversityofSaskatchewanHockey Huskies has shot up for a goaltending tandem which won the Canada West goaltending trophy last season. Allowing eight goals in one game and seven in another will do that. It leaves Harvey with an atypical 3.32 goals-against average and 86.3 save-percentage to go along with his 3-0-1 record. That compares to a 2.19 GAA and 91.5 percentagelastseason.FellowHuskie goaltender Russ Monette, who has been relegated to a backup role this weekend, has suffered through a 4.02 goals-against average, 2-2-0 record and 84.9 save-percentage. He had a 2.67 GAA and 90.3 percentage last season.

Harvey has started four games and relieved Monette twice. Harvey — who admits he is more comfortable as a starter than reliever — has accepted the challenge to prove naysayers wrong. He has taken plenty of heat ever since the red heat lamp started torching his neck.

“My whole career, I’m used to starting hockey games but it’s whatever coach (Dave) Adolph decides is what I have to live with,” said Harvey. “It’s whatever best for the team.

“I feel really good out there this year, so it’s really surprising. That red light keeps burning my neck out there, for whatever reason. I can’t put a finger on it. The effort’s there. I’m putting the work in at practice. I feel very confident and comfortable out there, but the end result is not there, so something has to change. You can only blame bad luck and bounces so much. I’ve got to look in the mirror and hopefully get my game together. “You’re only as good as your goaltenders are and, obviously, our goaltenders haven’t been up to snuff. Whether it’s defensive problems or oddman rushes against, the bottom line is it’s my job to make saves, and with an 86 per cent savepercentage like it is, I haven’t made enough.”
Monette feels just as perplexed by the sudden increase in goals allowed. “I haven’t changed anything,” Monette said. “I feel as good as I’ve ever felt in net. We just haven’t been getting the bounces.

“From my perspective, the number of odd-man rushes and breakaways we’re giving up is absolutely ridiculous. Something’s got to change.”

Meanwhile, players are auditioning for spots on the Canada West team to represent Canada at the 2009 FISU world university games over in China in February. As the top goalie last season, Harvey was a pre-season favourite to make the squad. He’ll have to pull his socks — or his new gear he’s tested this week — up.

“Obviously, that’s in the back of my mind,” admitted Harvey. “Maybe I’m thinking about it too much. Success hasn’t parlayed into anything so far. Maybe my mind is on the wrong thing. Maybe it’s time to realize that my only job is to stop pucks and, if I start thinking about anything else, like the University Games or something else, other things may be jeopardized. I’ve got to take care of the little things, like stopping pucks, and things will take care of itself.”


DOG TALES: F Brad Erickson (ankle) remains out of the lineup for the third straight weekend . . . The Bears have been without all-star G Aaron Sorochan in recent weeks.
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Hockey Huskies ranked No. 2

The University of Saskatchewan Hockey Huskies opened in the No. 2 spot nationally, as the first rankings of the season were officially released Tuesday for Canadian Interuniversity Sport men’s hockey.

And No.1? None other than the defending national championAlberta Golden Bears (3-1-0), who’ll be in Saskatoon on Friday and Saturday night to play the No.2 Huskies (5-2-1) in both a CanadaWest and CIS national showdown.Game time is 7 p.m. both nights.

U of S coach Dave Adolph, whose team has suffered a pair of uncharacteristic, atypical lopsided losses, downplayed the rankings Tuesday afternoon prior to practice.
“I tell you what, rankings are a joke,” he said.“We got beat 8-1 by a very good Regina team and we got beat 7-2 by a very good Lethbridge team.We lost in a shootout to a very good Manitoba team, 7-6, and there’s no friggin’ way we’re No. 2 in the country.

“I think we’re a top 10 team — I plan to be a top 10 team every year — but you know what the rankings mean? Nothing.Absolutely zip.It means that somebody can go and brag about or they’ll asked,‘are you worried about it?’ Rankings mean as much as a sale on friggin’ popcorn.”

TheAcadiaAxemen are No.3,followed by the New BrunswickVarsity Reds at No. 4. Eastern-based teams round out the top 10.

Vey a sleeper and a keeper

While most of the attention has been focused on some of the other prize recruits on the Hockey Huskies, most notably Steven Da Silva and Chris Durand up front and Chad Greenan in the back end, Vey continues to fly under the radar.

During his National Hockey League Entry Draft year as an 18-year-old, Vey’s season got cut short by a serious shoulder injury, putting him out of action for nine months. Vey rebounded to post back-toback 20-goal seasons with the WHL’s TriCity Americans, yet he never garnered any pro shots.

So, after his major career wrapped up, 6-foot-3, 205-pound centre decided to stay in his home province.

“IknewfromChristmasonIwasgoingto do the school thing,” Vey, who grew up on a farm in the Wakaw area, said Tuesday. “I met with Dave and the U of S was always in the back of my mind, coming home to a good school with a winningbackground — they’re always competitive, year after year. I was real impressed with Daveandeverything fell into place.”

So far, things are slow to fall into place with the Hockey Dogs.

Vey has two goals and no assists in eight games.

“Shaun Vey is a very poised studentathlete, who is here for the right reasons,” said Adolph. “Without a doubt, he’s going to be a long-term player for us. Shaun has struggled at this point, being a studentathlete and combining the time restraints. Time management has overwhelmed him a little bit.

“He hasn’t quite been the player I hope he’s going to be and he hopes he’s going to be, but, on the other side of the coin, he’s really taking care of his time management and getting a solid grip on school. It’s hard for first years. Some guys breeze right into it; other guys struggle.

“But I have all the confidence in the world that he’ll figure it out. He’s adjusting and he’ll be fine.

“I still think he’s going to be a real sleeper.”

Vey says he’s just happy to be playing hockey and get an education.

“The shoulder’s good now,” said Vey, who still wears a protective brace for protection. “It doesn’t really restrict me.”
Compounding his dislocated shoulder were stretched or frayed nerves.

“I still don’t have all the feeling in my shoulder and (initially) it caused me to lose all my muscle mass,” noted Vey.

As a first-year U of S Huskie, he shoulders much more.

“It’s definitely been a new experience trying to balance school and hockey,” Vey admits. “The hockey is really good. We’ve struggled here the last little bit, but we had a good practice and we addressed some of the things we need to work on and we’ll get a lot better.

“This is great hockey. It’s a couple of steps above the Western Hockey League. You’re playing with bigger, stronger guys — mature men. It’s definitely a step up, but it’s been a lot of fun.”

Saskatchewan (5-2-1) plays host to Alberta (3-1-0) in a Canada West showdown Friday and Saturday at Rutherford Rink, the site of many classic battles between the arch-rivals.

“To play a team like that, everybody gets a little bit more excited,” Vey said. “Everybody knows we haven’t been our best the last couple of weekends. This is a good opportunity to step up and really improve our play.”

Vey, the first pick in the second round of the WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants, hasn’t totally given up on the pro dream.

“Iwouldn’truleitout,”saidVey.“School is still my main priority. That’s what I’m going to get done. I plan on being here for four or five years. If an opportunity arises after that, I would definitely consider it.”

Adolph sees a long-term Dog until then.

“He’s a real solid, two-way player who has an offensive side that has yet to be tapped,” said Adolph. “I just see him as one of those guys, like a Curtis Austring, an intelligent, even-keeled player who’s going to be a contributor on and off the ice for us.

“We feel he’s a keeper. He’s a sleeperkeeper.”

WHL Alumni Spotlight – Steve DaSilva

By Jesse Watts - whl.ca

Steve DaSilva scored plenty of big goals during his four-year Western Hockey League career with the Kootenay Ice. Now, the 21-year-old from Saskatoon, SK, is doing the same at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level as a rookie with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

DaSilva, a 6’0”, 189-lb forward, enrolled at the U of S after completing his WHL career with Kootenay at the conclusion of the 2007-08 WHL season. Despite an invite to the San Jose Sharks NHL training camp in September, DaSilva elected to, instead, use the WHL Scholarship he earned to begin his studies at university and join the Huskies.

A prolific scorer during his WHL career, DaSilva racked up 78 goals and 181 points in 139 games over his final two WHL campaigns with the Ice, and was named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star team in both seasons.

So far, DaSilva has managed to bring this offensive game to the Huskies, netting two goals and five points through the team’s first four Conference games and helping them to a 3-1 record in Canada West Conference play.

One of 26 WHL grads on the Huskies’ roster, DaSilva will play a big role as the team looks to compete for a Canada West title and a spot in the 2009 University Cup tournament.

Catching Up With…Steve DaSilva

On going back to school…
“It’s been really good. It’s a tough transition, though, because you have to learn to be responsible with your time and balance school, homework and hockey. Once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy. We practice every day, I have classes during the day and I spend most of my nights doing homework, so you don’t have a lot of free time. I’m taking some Arts & Sciences classes, and maybe looking to get into Kinesiology, but right now I’m just taking a variety of classes. It’s a different lifestyle, but I like it.”

On his first few weeks with the Huskies…
“It’s awesome. Everyone always told me how great the hockey is in the CIS, but you don’t realize how competitive it is until you get here. You’re playing against guys that are older – they’re men – and it’s a tough transition. Once you get a few games in, and get used to it, it’s a lot of fun.”

On his transition to the CIS…
“I’ve fit in pretty well, so far. I’ve been playing with (WHL grads) Casey Lee and Steven Gillen, and they’ve helped me out a lot, so far, because they’re bona fide All-Stars. It’s been a struggle, at times, but I think I’m getting comfortable with how I’m playing, and settling in nicely.”

On playing with so many fellow WHL graduates…
“All the guys on my team I’ve either played against or played with before in the WHL, so it’s nice knowing a bit about who you’re playing with. They know what it’s like coming from the WHL to the CIS, so they can help you along if there are any problems. All the guys know what it takes to compete in the CIS and are proven players at other levels.”

On the WHL Scholarship program…
“It’s unbelievable that the WHL can offer something like that to players. To be able to have played four years of hockey in the WHL, and enjoy my time the way I did was amazing. Then, to be able to get a free education and continue playing hockey at a very high level is something not many people get. I think we’re really blessed to have such a great opportunity, and we can all thank (Ed) Chynoweth for helping make it happen.”

Hockey Huskies pounded by Regina

Cougars 8, Huskies 1

It was a reversal of fortune for the University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team in Regina, where the Huskies followed a 6-2 win Friday with an 8-1 loss.

The Dogs were caught napping as Ryan Cruse scored for the Cougars just 31 seconds into the game. Regina went up 2-zip after capitalizing on a two-man advantage, then scored another power-play goal to make it 3-1.

A short-handed goal by Regina’s Kyle Ross at 1:08 of the second period broke the Dogs’ back. Cane Pearpoint and Blair Stengler scored 42 seconds apart to put the game out of hand as Regina went up 6-1.

U of S starting goalie Russ Monette got the hook after giving up the first five goals on 13 shots. The Cougars pounced on replacement Jeff Harvey, beating him just 42 seconds later. Harvey stopped seven of 10 shots he faced.
Ross had a hat trick and two assists for Regina, which also got singles from Dustin Bru and Dylan Chapman.

Saskatchewan outshot Regina couldn’t solve Brant Hilton in net.

Steve Gillen had the lone goal for the Dogs, who were 1-for-9 on the power play. The Cats were good on two of seven chances.

The Huskies (3-1) hit the road for their next four games in the Canada West conference, in Manitoba and Lethbridge. They play host to the defending national champion Alberta Golden Bears at home Oct. 24-25.

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Huskies unveil quick-strike offence

Huskies 6, Cougars 2
Darren Zary, The StarPhoenix
Published: Saturday, October 04, 2008
Wouldn't you know it, the 2-0 hockey Huskies -- much to their delight -- began with a two-on-none.

A little more than a minute into Friday's game at Rutherford Rink, Casey Lee and Steven Da Silva found themselves skating in all alone on the University of Regina Cougars goal with all kinds of time to spare.

Lee and Da Silva proceeded to pass the puck back and forth, giving a dizzy Regina netminder Adam Ward absolutely no chance as Lee buried it into an empty net.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies finished with a 6-2 victory over the Cougars to improve their Canada West conference record to 3-0.

Regina is 0-1. The teams meet again tonight in Regina.

"That was a bit of a penalty-fest for both teams and we struggled with outdoor (soft) ice," said Huskies coach Dave Adolph, whose team was 3-for-10 on the power play. "The conditions weren't very conducive to a real free-flowing game, but we scored some good goals tonight and certainly early."

Cole Simpson, with a power-play marker, and Brad Erickson, who cut in from the left wing on a partial breakaway and deked Ward with nifty back-hander to the top shelf, gave the Dogs a 3-0 lead after the opening frame.

"It was a good start for my second weekend," said Erickson. "It was good to get that first goal off the shoulder and Zachary Sim gave me the helmet for player of the game, so I was pretty excited about that."

Regina got on the scoreboard with a two-man advantage. Dan Bohemier banged home a rebound on top of U of S netminder Jeff Harvey.

Da Silva restored a three-goal lead for the Dogs, tucking in the puck from behind the net as he squeezed it through Ward's skate and the goal post with 1:39 left in the second.

A power-play goal by defenceman Chad Greenan, his first as a Huskie, made it 5-1. Greenan completed a give-and-go with Erickson.

A mad scramble in front of Harvey resulted in a goal by Regina's Dylan Chapman to cut the lead to 5-2. A power-play goal by Derek Endicott sealed the deal for the Dogs.

Saskatchewan outshot Regina 30-29. The Cougars were 1-for-11 with the man-advantage.

"I don't think it was a lack of preparation on our part," said Cougars forward Cane Pearpoint. "They came out strong. We took a back seat. We have to come together as 20 guys, play like we can -- Cougar hockey."

DOG TALES: Three stars were 1) Erickson, 2) Da Silva and 3) Greenan . . . Among the spectators were a number of Huskie hockey alumni, including former goalie Thomas Vicars of Kamloops, B.C., gathered in town for the wedding of former captain Scott McQueen.

dzary@sp.canwest.com By Darren Zary

of The StarPhoenix

Huskies move to 3-0 on season

DOGS BEAT REGINA 6-2

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies scored three goals in the first period enroute to a 6-2 victory of the visiting University of Regina Cougars Friday night in Saskatoon’s Rutherford Rink.

The win moved the Huskies to 3-0 in the young Canada West season, while the Cougars drop to 0-1. It was the first game of the regular season for Regina.

“We got off to a good start and never really looked back,” said Huskie head coach Dave Adolph. “Games against Regina are always tough and have a lot of emotion. It is a really good provincial rivalry.”

The Huskies jumped on the board just over a minute into the first period when Casey Lee beat Cougars goaltender Adam Ward on a pass by linemates Steven Gillen and Steven DaSilva. Defenceman Cole Simpson added the Huskies second goal of the game just 14 seconds into a power play after Cougar Kyle Ross took a hooking penalty. Brad Erickson netted the third goal of the period at 15:33.

Regina struck first in the second period scoring on a five-on-three power play after Huskie defencemen Simpson and Evan Schafer took hooking penalties 23 seconds apart. Dan Bohemier netted the goal for the Cougars to pull his team within two. DaSilva pulled the Huskies back in front by three with a goal at 18:21 in second.

Up 4-1 entering the third period, Huskie Chad Greenan added another goal on the power play seemingly sealing the Saskatchewan victory. But the Cougars weren’t going to give up with Dylan Chapman adding their second goal at 6:37 in the third. Huskie Derek Endicott added another for the Huskies at 9:46 on the power play.

Jeff Harvey made 27 saves for Saskatchewan, while Ward made 24 for the Cougars.

The teams will meet again Saturday night in the second half of the home-and-home affair this time in Regina. Game time is 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Twins Arena.

Rivalry brings out the best when Huskie, Cougars meet

When it comes to the provincial rivalry between the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Cougars, it skates into “same-old” territory — also known as the tight neutral zone clogged by the opposition between the two blue-lines.

Even so, the hockey Huskies showed off plenty of jump and new twists Thursday night while practising at Rutherford Rink, where the U of S will play host to the U of R Cougars 7 p.m. tonight in Canada West conference action.

First, there was affable goalie Jeff Harvey doing his Roberto Luongo impersonation as he wore the letter C as the “self-proclaimed” team captain — well, at least at practice or, at the very least, in his own mind.

And then there was the return of Michael Kaye, fresh from an American Hockey League tryout with the Philadelphia Flyers’ Phantoms affiliate, and Brad Erickson, fresh from a little bit of golf on a sunny afternoon.

All in all, the mood was good as the Hockey Dogs (2-0 in Canada West) aim to continue their winning ways in a home-and-home series with the Cougars.

ReginaoftenplaysitcloseagainstSaskatchewan — much like the teams’ close proximity on the map, even if the teams are not always as close in the standings.

“Every year, it seems like it’s a battle to the end, a 3-2 or 2-1 game,” Huskies assistant captain Evan Schafer was saying prior to practice Thursday night.

“They always seem to play the game close. They don’t really give you much offensively. It’s a wait-and-see type of game.

“If we stick to our systems, though, we’ll be fine.”

For Regina, it marks the first regular-season action of the new season.

“It’s not just a team that gives us trouble,” said U of S coach Dave Adolph. “They’re a team that gives everybody trouble. The way they play, their style is very conducive to winning one-goal games and getting a power play late and getting an opportunity to win. Whenever we play them, it’s a grind. All the power to them. They’re a well-coached team and they play their systems very, very well.”
Kaye arrived back in Saskatoon on Tuesday night. Thursday’s practice was Kaye’s second of the week with the Dogs. “It went well,” Kaye said of his AHL tryout. “I was happy with the way things went down there . . . obviously I didn’t get a contract, which is what I would have liked — but this is a great plan to fall back on, coming here. Who knows, that (pro) option could be there next year or the year after or when I’m done my schooling.”

Kaye played in two AHL exhibition games against Norfolk and Lowell.

“It’s a step faster,” Kaye, the former Lethbridge Hurricane and Saskatoon Blade forward, said. “Everyone there is quick and they all do the little things and what it takes to stick at the next level.”

Adolph said that Kaye won’t be in the lineup tonight. However, the possibility always exists for Saturday’s game in Regina if the Huskies change their lineup.

Last season, the Huskies won five of six games against the Cougars, their only loss coming in a shootout.

DOG TALES: Regina played a pre-season game last weekend against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns and earned a 4-2 win at Maple Creek. In their two pre-season meetings, the Dogs and Cats played to a 3-3 tie in a tournament in Waywayseecappo, Man., and a 43 victory at the Huskie Classic.

CIS men’s hockey Saskatchewan vs. Regina Tonight, 7 p.m. Rutherford Rink

Pre-season basketball

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ men’s basketball team is slated to play two weekend exhibition games in Saskatoon.

The Huskies play Lakeland College today at 7 p.m., and they’ll take on Medicine Hat College Saturday at 4 p.m. Both games are at St. Joseph.

The team hosts the Huskie Shootout Oct. 16-18 at the PAC.

dzary@sp.canwest.com
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Huskie hockey rookies made immediate impact

Huskies 7, Bisons 0

—SP Photo by Richard MarjanMyles Zimmer (left) of the Huskies levels with a player from the Bisons

There were plenty of firsts and bursts Saturday night at Rutherford Rink, where the University of Saskatchewan Huskies chewed up on the Manitoba Bisons to cap a Canada West conference seasonopening sweep.

One big outburst — five goals in the third period — helped the hockey Dogs cruise to a 7-0 victory.

Along the way, Saskatchewan ended a 0-for-11 drought by scoring its first two power-play goals of the regular season.

Rookies Shaun Vey, Travis Brisebois, Steven Da Silva and Zach Sim scored their first goals as Huskies in Canada West.

And, to top it off, goalie Russ Monette recorded a shutout.

“The guys played a really strong game in front of me,” said Monette. “Once the floodgates were open, it was pretty much cruise control. You couldn’t ask for a better game to start with to get into it.”

U of S head coach Dave Adolph stressed it was a good team win. “Defence leads to offence,” he said. Seven players contributed to the scoring as the Huskies improved to 2-0.

Casey Lee, Steve Gillen and Brett Parker also scored for Saskatchewan, which outshot Manitoba 27-26.

“We came out with a lot better jump,” said Gillen, who notched the team’s first power-play goal at 6:40 of the third period. “Casey scored a big goal for us right off the bat. Confidence is a game and once you get that big lead, it doesn’t hurt.”
For Parker, it was his second goal in as many nights. While his first one was a beauty, his second was a softy, proving it never hurts to shoot the puck on net.

“So far it’s been a 100 per cent — two shots on net, two goals,” said Parker, who was selected as the game’s No. 1 star. “Goals will come with hard work. Brisebois and (Jason) Wagar were really clicking.

“We’re improving every day at practice and every game we’re getting a feel of the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport). With half our team being brand new, it’s a team game and we’re really starting to play like Hustlin’ Huskies.”

After an outstanding game Friday night in net for Manitoba, Steve Christie got yanked after Parker’s goal made it 3-0 at 5:03 of the third period. Christie was replaced by Gavin McHale, who allowed four more goals.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Monette and his supporting cast shut down the Bisons.

“If you only score one goal on the weekend, that’s not going to get you too many wins,” said Bisons coach Don MacGillvray.

“We had opportunities again. We’ve got to bury some chances.

“It’s never as good as it looks or as bad as it seems, but we didn’t play very well tonight. We’ll take what we can out of this game and try to build on some positives.”

After going 0-for-8 Friday in a 2-1 win, the Huskies scored on two of eight power-play chances Saturday.

“It’s just big for our club to get that first one (power-play goal),” said Gillen. “Now we’re rolling. We got one right after on the next power play, so hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.”

DOG TALES: Three stars were 1) Parker, 2) Monette and 3) U of S D-man Jesse Zetariuk .. . Rookies Sim and Mat Swaby made their regularseason debut Saturday, replacing Mark Hinz and rookie R.J. Larochelle on the blue-line. Also rotated in was Myles Zimmer for David Linsley. Rookies Jarrid Dowhay and Curtis Patterson did not get in the lineup . . . Next up for the Huskies are the University of Regina Cougars in a home-and-home series.

dzary@sp.canwest.com
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Sweet deke by Adamus lifts Dogs to shootout win

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies ushered seven rookies into the lineup Friday night for their Canada West season-opener against the Manitoba Bisons.

However, they weren’t as quick to get on the scoresheet. Nor were they in any particular hurry to notch a victory — waiting until the team’s fifth shooter in an overtime shootout to secure the two points at Rutherford Rink.

Captain Trent Adamus got the winner, beating Manitoba goalie Steve Christie in a pressure-cooker situation with a nifty, two-point deke.

This time, the OT shootout winner drew a couple of assists.

“I was discussing it with (Colin) Patterson and (Steven) Da Silva (the previous shooters) because there was some pressure on me,” said Adamus, a fifth-year forward with the Huskies hockey team. “I asked them what I should do. They said to fake and go forehand and that’s what I did. I was fortunate enough that it worked out.

“We definitely don’t like to wait that long, but I think we’ll do well in high-pressure situations. That’s only one game, but that’s a good start by the boys.”
Manitoba was first to get on the scoreboard. With 19 seconds left in the second period, the Bisons got a good bounce off a Huskies defender at the end of a power play to make it 1-0. Stewart Thiessen’s shot deflected off Saskatchewan’s Jesse Zetariuk.

The Huskies evened things up in the third when Brett Parker scored a dandy, dangling a toe drag and then ripping a shot past Manitoba goalie Steve Christie at 6:39.

Overtime decided nothing, so it was on to a shootout.

Jared Walker, Manitoba’s third shooter, was the lone Bison to beat Huskies all-star goalie Jeff Harvey in the shootout. Huskies rookie Chris Durand beat Christie through the five-hole to keep his team alive. Adamus iced the win.

Da Silva, Patterson and Steve Gillen were Saskatchewan’s other shooters. Mike Hellyer, Nick Hotson, Rick Wood and Riley Dudar were all denied by Harvey.

“It was a very good hockey game,” said Manitoba coach Don MacGillvray. “Both teams competed really hard. Goaltending was outstanding at both ends.

“We had our opportunities to win the game. If we compete like that every night, we’ll get our fair share of wins.”

DOG TALES: Saskatchewan was 0-for-8 on the power play. Manitoba was 1-for-6 . . . Three stars were 1) Adamus, 2) Harvey and 3) Christie . . . Saskatchewan outshot Manitoba 32-22 in regulation . . . Scratches for the Dogs included D Cole Simpson, D D D

and F

F . . . Freshman F who scored 50 goals and 128 points in only 59 games in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League last season, is no longer with the Huskies. He left on his own accord.

dzary@sp.canwest.com
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Endicott takes last shot at glory with Dogs

There seems to be no end in Endo. Derek(Endo)Endicott—whohasbeenaquestionable returnee for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies hockey team during the past few seasons — has always come back, just like a cat. Or, in this case, a Dog back for another kick at the cat.

So, when the Hockey Dogs open their new Canada West conference season tonight at 7 p.m. against the University of Manitoba Bisons at Rutherford Rink, Endicott will once again be in the Huskies’ lineup.

He is entering his fifth and final season with the Dogs, once again setting his sights on an elusive University Cup national championship — one which slipped through his fingers with 23 seconds to go in the final at Rexall Place when he was a rookie.

Now the Huskie defenceman’s CIS hockey career is about to come full circle.

“I was in my first year then and this is my last year now, so maybe it is,” the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Endicott says. “We have a really good team and I wouldn’t be surprised to see us in a similar situation again this season, but we can’t look ahead too far. We’ve got to keep playing hard every game.”

Unlike past seasons, when Endicott logged tons of ice-time, the Dogs are a lot deeper in defence, which may no longer require a workhorse.

“It will (be a battle for ice time),” Endicott, one of only two fifth-year Huskies on the squad this season, says. “It will be a good thing. Everybody’s going to push each other to the next level, hopefully. We’ve always had good players but never this many young guys coming in, which will bring in a whole new competitive level. I think it will be very good for everybody on the team.”

Endicott decided to return for one last season, putting a possible career as a firefighter on hold.

“It’s kind of the way everything panned out,” he explains. ‘I was weighing out a few things and this is the best thing for me at this time.”

Endicott is one of five blue-line holdovers, joining Evan Schafer, Jesse Zetariuk, Mark Hinz and Cole Simpson. Newcomers include Chad Greenan (Kootenay Ice), Zach Sim (Kootenay), R.J. Larochelle (Vancouver Giants), Matt Swaby (Edmonton Oil KIngs) and Curtis Patterson, a one-time Saskatoon Blade.

“We are definitely looking deep, both up front and in the back,” says Endicott. “We’ve got a lot of returning guys in the back end who have been good for us and will be good for us again this season. The new guys are going to do really well for us, as well.
“Up front, we’ve got some skill that’s come around that will definitely help us out.”

Overall, the Dogs have added 12 rookies to their roster. Michael Kaye, should he return from the pro ranks, would make it 13. The sheer volume, not to mention the quality, has impressed Endicott.

“I’ve seen some really good rookies come in, but never this many, not in my time.”

U of S head coach Dave Adolph is glad to have Endicott, 25, back in the fold. The former Saskatoon Blade and Red Deer Rebel has been consistently one of the team’s top rearguards in each of his past four seasons. He has been the Huskies’ nominee for the Mervyn (Red) Dutton Trophy for the Canada West outstanding defenceman more than once. Yet, he continues to fly under the radar in the Canada West, where all-star voting is cast largely on point production.

“Derek Endicott is easily one of the best defencemen in the CIS and never gets the recognition for it,” says Adolph. “He’s a horse. He’s an absolute workhorse. He’s benefited our program every game he’s played for the last four years. When his date of entry for the Brandon Fire School got moved back to Sept. of 2009, rather than worrying about it, he started looking at other options and one was getting a second major. That’s what school is all about, trying to enhance and that’s what he did.”

DOG TALES: Endicott had five goals and seven assists in 25 games last season along with 83 penalty minutes. He had three goals and 12 assists the season before and four goals and 14 assists prior to that . . . Thanks to sponsor Meyers-Norris-Penny of Saskatoon, parking in designated areas is once again free at all Hockey Huskie games.

Rebuilding year? Dogs aim to win it all

Stellar recruiting in the off-season leaves the University of Saskatchewan Hockey Huskies looking stronger than ever, at least on paper.

There are no glaring weaknesses to speak of as the team gets set to open the 2008-09 Canada West conference regular season Friday and Saturday at home against the University of Manitoba Bisons. (Game time is 7 p.m. each night at Rutherford Rink.)

Team chemistry, consistency and leadership may be the only question marks. The latter has already been addressed with the selection of fifth-year Huskie forward Trent Adamus as the new captain. Adamus, a law student, will be flanked by Jason Wagar and Brett Parker, who return as assistants, plus newly-appointed assistant Evan Schafer. They look to fill the void following the departure of graduates Brent Twordik (captain), Curtis Austring and Mason Wallin.

“We lost a lost a lot of old guys and leadership, but there are lots of guys to fill spots, even third-year guys, and lots of great leadership from the young guys so they can step right in,” says Adamus.

Once again, the Hockey Dogs are solid in net with Canada West all-star Jeff Harvey and Russ Monette. The blue-line is deeper and, arguably, better than it’s ever been with returnees Schafer, Derek Endicott, Jesse Zetariuk, Mark Hinz and Cole Simpson joined by a kettle full of promising pups. Blue-chipper Chad Greenan (Kootenay Ice), who quarterbacked Kootenay’s power play, leads the way. R.J. Larochelle (Vancouver Giants, WHL), Zach Sim (Kootenay, WHL), Matt Swaby (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL) and Curtis Patterson, a former Saskatoon Blade, give the Dogs considerable depth and choice on the blueline despite the loss of power-play quarterbacks Stephen Mann, Scott Roy and Brett Dickie.

“I’m a little concerned about our power play right now,” said U of S coach Dave Adolph. “We need a power-play quarterback. I’m not sure who that’s going to be. You can see how we struggled bringing the puck up the ice (in pre-season). There are a lot of things we need to work through. The bottom line is we’ve got the defensive zone cohesiveness that we needed. We can work on all the rest the rest of the year.”

Up front, the biggest catch of all is Saskatoon native Steven Da Silva (Kootenay), a true sniper who scored 40 goals in 68 WHL games last season to go along with 49 assists. Shaun Vey (TriCity Americans) also put up big numbers with 27 goals and 46 assists for 73 points in 70 games. Chris Durand (Saskatoon Blades) is another topline WHL performer, a former second-round NHL draft pick who scored 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points in 62 games. Winger Michael Kaye has left for an AHL tryout but could yet re-surface at the U of S.

Da Silva made an immediate impact in preseason with six goals in four games.

“We’ve got a really good team,” says Da Silva, the former Kootenay captain, who, along with Swaby, a former captain of the Oil Kings, give the Dogs two more former WHL captains on their captain-laden roster. “A lot of the guys are young, but they’re ready to play big roles on this team. The older guys are really helping us out. They’re showing us what it takes to win. The game against Alberta was a real eye-opener for all the young guys, just how fast you can score in this league. Now that we know what it takes to win and be successful in this league, we have a really good chance at winning it.” Big things are also expected of Vey and Durand. “Vey and Durand are probably going to take a little time,” says Adolph. “They come from programs where you have to defend first. Just look at the numbers they put up — they’re very capable.”
RoundingoutthenewcomersareTravisBrisebois (Swift Current, WHL, Vernon Vipers, BCHL), David Linsley (Spokane WHL, Flin Flon SJHL), Jarrid Dowhay (Prince Albert WHL, La Ronge, SJHL) and Bryan Kauk (Brandon, WHL, Dauphin Kings, MJHL), who give the Dogs enough depth to release third-year veterans Brett Novak and Dan Erlandson.

Exciting times

“We really recruited well over the summer,” says second-year Huskie forward Casey Lee, a top playoff performer as a rookie last season. “I’m excited — everyone in the room is excited. I know we lost a lot of veteran guys from last year and this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but we don’t think this will be a rebuilding year. We want to win a championship. Hopefully we can win a national championship. “We’re ready.” Returning forwards include Adamus, Parker, Wagar, Lee, Colin Patterson, Steve Gillen, Brad Erickson and Myles Zimmer.

“You’ll see Colin Patterson have a better year because there are more offensive players,” said Adolph.

Gone are a couple of leaders and heart-and-soul types in Twordik and Austring, plus the speedy Wallin, Jeff Schmidt, Garett Soparlo and Cody Purves, who did not return to school. Brisebois is a Purves-like player, a tireless two-way forward who can kill penalties.

“Definitely, it’s a great group of young guys, a lot of skilled forwards and great defencemen,” says Adamus, one of two fifth-year Huskies on the squad still looking for that elusive national championship after four straight appearances.

“It’s been tough going to the last four nationals and not getting one. It’d be nice to end it on a bang and get a national championship this time.”

Huskies’ recruit Da Silva looks as good as gold

Huskies 4, Cougars 3

Jeff Harvey, a spectator on this night, just smiled and shook his head in amazement after watching hot shot rookie Steven Da Silva put on a dazzling scoring display Saturday against the University of Regina Cougars.

Da Silva netted a hat trick, including the winner with 1:37 remaining on a breakaway after he snuck behind the Cougars’ defence. Da Silva received a long pass from linemate Casey Lee, then roofed a backhand behind Regina goalie Brant Hilton on a deke as the Saskatchewan Huskies closed out the Huskie Alumni Hockey Classic with a 4-3 win at Rutherford Rink.

“Just like Dean Beuker used to do,” said Harvey, a former Canada West conference all-star goalie with the Huskies.

“A lot of guys are highly touted, but this kid is going to live up to that billing . . . Teams are going to try and key on him, but it’s going to open up the ice for other guys.”

Lee was Casey Glee, appreciating the fact he is pegged to be Da Silva’s linemate this season.

“It’s a lot of fun out there,” said Lee. “Steven is a natural goal-scorer. You just give him the puck and watch his skill and talent do the work.”

Two of Da Silva’s goals came on the power play; all three were highlight reel material. He had 40 goals and 49 assists in 68 games last season with the Western Hockey League’s Kootenay Ice, where his teammates included fellow Huskies rookies Chad Greenan and Zach Sim.
“It takes some time to get adjusted,” said Da Silva, who turned down a free-agent tryout offer with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks earlier this month. “Last weekend was kind of feel it out and get used to it. This weekend, I really tried to play more of a role in a game. Getting a couple of nice passes, I just had to put the puck in the net. A couple of great passes from Gilly (Steve Gillen) and Casey, I just did the easy part.”

Trent Adamus scored the other goal for Saskatchewan, which outshot Regina 3129.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” said U of S coach Dave Adolph. “We really haven’t worked on our power play. By default, we worked on our penalty kill all weekend. That’s an area that has to be really good for us.

“What you saw and what we expected is that it’s going to be a hell of a league again this year. Our young guys are going to get better as they go. The hardest part for me is reinforcing how gritty we have to be and that was a gritty third period.”

Saskatchewan closed out the pre-season with a 2-1-1 record.

“We changed our lineup every night out of the four games we played,” Adolph said. “We took six guys out Friday and put seven new guys in (Saturday). Unfortunately, with 26 or 27 guys, not everybody’s going to be a part of it over the next little while, but our leadership will emerge. More importantly, so will our work ethic.”

And, unlike past years, scoring should not be a problem.

“Not with Da Silva around,” said Adamus, one of two fifth-year Huskies on the squad. “We’ll just feed him the puck.”

DOG TALES: The Huskies open the Canada West conference regular season Friday against the Manitoba Bisons at Rutherford Rink. Game time is 7 p.m. . . . The defending national champion Alberta Golden Bears won the preseason tournament with a 2-0 record. Both Saskatchewan and Regina were 11. Manitoba, which fell 2-1 to Alberta on Saturday, was 0-2.

dzary@sp.canwest.com
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DaSilva records hat trick

HUSKIE ALUMNI CLASSIC TOURNAMENT
Sep 20

The University of Saskatchewan Huskie men's hockey team has rookie Steve DaSilva to thank for a 4-3 win over the University of Regina Cougars in their final game of the Huskie Alumni Classic Saturday.

DaSilva netted three goals in the game to added to fifth-year Trent Adamus's goal. He scored the game winning goal at 18:23 in the third period.

Huskie goaltender Russell Monette made 26 saves, while Brant Hilton made 27 for the Cougars.

Cougar goal scorers were Ross Bender (2) and Neil Kodman.

In the tournament game on Saturday the University of Alberta Golden Bears defeated the University of Manitoba Bisons 2-1.

The Huskies open their season on September 26 at home against the Bisons. Game time is 7 p.m. at Rutherford Rink

Golden Bears have new look, same style

Bears 4, Huskies 3
The last time we saw the University of Alberta Golden Bears, they were doing victory laps after capturing the 2008 University Cup national hockey championship in Moncton, N.B.

Outplayed by the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds in the final, the Golden Bears stole a victory thanks largely to the goaltending of Aaron Sorochan.

Now, six months later. they’re back on the ice minus six players — Harlan Anderson, Dylan Stanley, Tim Krymusa, Ryan Stempfle, Richard Hamula and Mark Ashton.

Alberta renewed its fierce rivalry with the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies at the Huskie Hockey Alumni Classic tournament Friday night at Rutherford Rink. The Huskies spotted the Bears a 3-0 lead in the first five minutes before Alberta eventually hung on for a 4-3 win.

Jesse Gimblett, Ben Kilgour and Dale Mahovsky, during a two-man advantage, scored for Alberta in the first five minutes. Lee Zalasky, on the power play, had the other goal for Alberta.

Steve Da Silva, with a power-play marker, Bryan Kauk and Casey Lee replied for Saskatchewan.

“We lost some key guys,” said Bears coach Eric Thurston. “Losing our captain Harlan Anderson, who really helped our power play being our leader, and Ryan Stempfle, plus Dylan Stanley, (whose departure was) unexpected and a little late in the year, which didn’t give me a chance to get another second-line centre in. Dylan put up some pretty good numbers and was good on the power play.
“We’ve got some new guys who’ll obviously have to step in and fill some key roles.”

Kyle Pess, Dale Mahovsky and Shaden Moore had limited ice time with the Golden Bears last season, but they’re expected to log more this time around.

Newcomers include G Real Cyr, D Ryan White, F Greg Gardner, D/F J.P. Szaskiewicz and F Dan Baum, a former pro player who’ll be eligible to play in November.

Take away the first five minutes Friday and it’s a whole new ball game.

“We got skilled a little bit in the first period,” said U of S coach Dave Adolph. “We have an awful lot of guys trying to get used to the pace and there’s no better pace to play than Alberta’s. We got better as we went. You get yourself down 4-1 against a good team like that, it’s tough. But I’ll take the last 30 minutes.

“We’re spending an awful lot of time reinstituting some of things that are important in this league. We’re going to punctuate the good things here and continue to get better.”

In the afternoon game, the Regina Cougars scored four times in the third period on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Manitoba Bisons. Kyle Ross and Dustin Bru each tallied twice for the Cougars. Ross Bender added a single. Myles Rumsey and Dave Brown replied for the Bisons.

The tournament wraps up today. Alberta takes on Regina at 3 p.m. and Manitoba plays Saskatchewan at 7:30 p.m. Both games are at Rutherford.

Huskies’ defence suddenly deeper

Greenan played in Kootenay in WHL

If Chad Greenan didn’t receive a bonus for signing a professional contract in Germany, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies received theirs, quite unexpectedly.

Greenan had his European hockey vacation end abruptly and was soon on his way back to North America, arriving on the doorstep of old Rutherford Rink on campus.

“Since I showed up I’ve been treated really good. All the guys are very nice, so it kind of helps out,” said Greenan, a defenceman who played for the WHL’s Kootenay Ice with fellow Huskies recruit Steve Da Silva.

“I’m not too sure what happened (in Germany), whether it was a little bit of a money problem that they couldn’t afford to keep all of us (imports). Two imports got sent back.

“Now I now what to expect. If I go over there again, I kind of know what I should be looking for before I sign anything.”

Greenan’s friendship with Da Silva was a main drawing card to the U of S. In fact, Da Silva helped recruit Greenan.

Greenan, a native of St. Albert, Alta., apparently wasn’t tempted to play for the rival University of Alberta Golden Bears,

“I wanted to move away and experience something else,” he said.
Added Da Silva: “Coming back here to the U of S is probably a good decision. He’ll have the same options afterwards. He can still play pro back in Europe.

“He’ll bring a lot to the team. He’s put up points in the Western League. If he’s given the right opportunity, with the power play and stuff, he’ll help us out. He’s got a big heavy shot, so if we can use it, he’ll be very beneficial.”

Da Silva and Greenan were fixtures Kootenay’s power play.

on

“I wouldn’t say we’re specialists,” said Greenan, “but I like to play the power play. I kind of quarterbacked it the last two years in Kootenay, so I have a general idea of what to do.”

With the arrival of Greenan, the Dogs are deep on the blue-line with 10 defencemen, five of whom are returnees.

It’s a nice problem for U of S coach Dave Adolph and his assistants.

“It’s sort of a rare feat for us to get two bluechippers from one team, but we’ve done that,” Adolph said. “Chad is a big, strong, mobile defenceman who’s got a great shot. Once we get him through his first year of school, he’s a real keeper.

“His first comment when he came here and practised here was ‘Can’t believe the rink.’ He was a little taken back, but we assured him that we never lose here and we promote athletic excellence. Rutherford Rink is just part of our legacy that we’re dealing with.”

Oldest Huskie alumnus passes away

SASKATOON, Sask. - On September 5, 2008 the Vancouver media announced the passing of Bernie Isman at age 101. His longevity notwithstanding, this man who was small in physical stature had a significant impact.

The Vancouver Board of Trade home page noted: "Bernie had a prolific career, dating from his graduation from law school at University of Saskatchewan in 1928. He was a World War II veteran, a proud lawyer of 61 years, including time spent as a British Columbia Provincial Court judge, and a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade."

The Vancouver Canadians Baseball team home page cited Bernie Isman as "an avid sports fan dating back to his playing hockey at University of Saskatchewan. Although he often downplayed it, he enjoyed his notoriety as Canada's (unofficial) oldest living collegiate hockey player. He was a regular attendee and fan club member for the Vancouver Capilanos, Mounties, and Canadians, and enjoyed attending games into his 100th year."

When University of Saskatchewan hosted University Cup national men's hockey championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000 Isman was front and centre at the games. A diminutive figure who donned a Huskies "letter" sweater, he was an inspirational presence at every game.

He was, indeed, the oldest living Huskie hockey alumnus when he passed away, yet he almost did not have the opportunity to play for the Green and White.

In an interview with Bill Seymour which was published in Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at University of Saskatchewan,Isman related how he did not make the Varsity team in 1925 or at the beginning of the 1926 season. However, as the 1926-27 season progressed, he finally received an invitation from coach Reg Brehaut to play for the "big club."

"I played inter-faculty hockey for the College of Law and was captain until the last game of the Varsity season when Brehaut asked me to play." In what was the Halpenny Cup title match for supremacy in Western Canadian university hockey, the team took the train to Winnipeg for a showdown with University of Manitoba. Included in the contingent was a rookie who had no interuniversity playing experience.

In the Green and White lifetime statistics, the name Isman is recorded for having played one game of inter-varsity hockey, and having scored one goal! "I scored the only goal against a really good University of Manitoba team," he recalled in 2005, unhappily the final score was a one-sided 14-1 thrashing by Manitoba as Isman made his debut.

Like so many student-athletes, the late Vancouver resident went on from graduation to a successful career and contributed to his community in a variety of ways. For University of Saskatchewan, the passing of Bernie Isman is the passing of a significant alumnus and a unique part of the University's history.

Source:

Nicole Betker, B.Journ.
Nee: Nicole Josin
Sports Information Director
Huskie Athletics
University of Saskatchewan

Canada West weekly roundup: Huskies open CW title defence with sweep

EDMONTON - The Saskatchewan Huskies opened defence of their Canada West Men's Hockey championship on the right foot as they took both ends of their home-and-home series with the Regina Cougars.

The Huskies, who won their 14th conference title in 2006-07, opened the 2007-08 season with a 4-2 win on home ice at Rutherford Arena in Saskatoon on Friday and then earned the series sweep with a 2-1 overtime victory at Regina on Saturday.

In the other series played on the opening weekend of the 72nd Canada West Hockey season, the Calgary Dinos and Lethbridge Pronghorns skated to a series split. The two provincial rivals earned wins on home ice in the home-and-home series as the Pronghorns won 3-2 on Friday as Steve Zmudczynski scored twice, including an unassisted shorthanded goal for the game winner. Calgary replied on Saturday with their own 3-2 victory and for the second night in a row, the game winning goal came shorthanded. Aaron Richards gave the Dinos their first conference win of the season netting the deciding goal at 5:12 of the second period while penalty killing.

Both the Alberta Golden Bears and UBC Thunderbirds earned sweeps in non-conference play to round out the week's schedule. In a rematch of the 2006 CIS University Cup Final, the Golden Bears earned two road wins against the Lakehead University Thunderwolves of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Alberta, who earned its record setting 12th national championship with a 3-2 win over Lakehead at Rexall Place in Edmonton in 2006, defeated the Thunderwolves 3-0 and 3-1. At Vancouver, UBC skated to 6-3 and 5-3 victories over the visiting NAIT Ooks of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC).

The Manitoba Bisons began the week's schedule with a 7-1 exhibition loss to the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, September 26th. Colin Lafreniere scored the lone goal for the Bisons against the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate.

Mason Wallin's powerplay goal 3:30 into overtime lifted Saskatchewan to a 2-1 victory on Saturday and secured a series sweep for the Huskies over Regina. Wallin, who earned an assist on Curtis Austring's first period goal, netted the game winner 3:30 into the five minute overtime period. Dillon Johnstone was the lone Cougar to beat Jeff Harvey in the Saskatchewan goal.

Harvey allowed only three goals on 46 shots in the Huskies' series sweep over Regina and finished the first week of the conference schedule with a .935 save percentage.

Austring scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Huskies to a 4-2 win over Regina in the series opener. First period goals by Brad Erickson and Derek Endicott lifted Saskatchewan to a 2-0 first period lead before Kyle Ross cut the Huskies lead in half with the Cougars' first goal of the game in the second period. Austring netted the eventual game-winner 2:56 into the third period and Huskies captain Brent Twordik extended the Saskatchewan lead to 4-1 at 9:21 of the final frame. Ryan Cruse rounded out the scoring, netting Regina's second goal with a powerplay goal at 19:56.

Shorthanded goals were decisive in the Calgary - Lethbridge series. Steve Zmudczynski scored his second goal of the game on Friday night while killing a penalty to give the Pronghorns a 3-2 win over the visiting Dinos before 822 fans at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Zmudczynski's shorthanded goal was an unassisted marker that gave the Pronghorns a 3-1 lead. The Lethbridge sophomore had scored earlier in the second period to break a 1-1 tie. Also scoring for the Pronghorns was team captain Shaun Noorie, who opened the scoring with a first period powerplay. Ryan Annesley and Reid Jorgensen scored for Calgary.

In the series finale in Calgary on Saturday, Aaron Richard's shorthanded goal capped off three consecutive Dinos goals and led Calgary to a 3-2 win and the series split. After Norrie opened the scoring with his second powerplay goal of the series for Lethbridge, the Dinos rallied to take the lead before the first period ended on goals by Torrie Wheat and Barry Horman (PPG). Richards would make it a 3-1 Calgary lead with his second period shorthanded goal before Andrew Switzer brought the Pronghorns to within a goal with less than seven minutes remaining in the third period. Richards added an assist to finish the game with two points and Reid Jorgensen chipped in with two helpers of his own.

At Thunder Bay, Aaron Sorochan made 20 saves to register his second career CIS shutout, and freshman Derek Ryan scored his first two goals to lead Alberta to a 3-0 victory in the series opener with Lakehead. Alberta struck quickly as Ryan netted his first career collegiate goal at 2:32 of the first period. Dylan Stanley would make it 2-0 for the Golden Bears at 5:51 before Ryan rounded out the scoring with his second goal at 15:05. Lee Zalasky earned assists on both of Ryan's goals as Alberta outshot Lakehead 47-20, including 20-8 in the opening period.

Brian Woolger, Chad Klassen (GWG) and Dale Mahovsky (ENG) each scored once and Blake Grenier made 26 saves in goal to pace the Golden Bears to a 3-1 win in the series finale on Saturday.

The line of Darrell May (0-2-2), Marc Desloges (1-2-3) and Dalton Pajak (2-1-3) combined for three goals and eight points to lead UBC to a series opening 6-3 win over NAIT on Friday. The Thunderbirds scored all six of their goals in the first period and led 5-0 before NAIT scored. Pajak scored both of his goals on the powerplay, while Jovan Matic netted the game winner. Lance Morrison and Curtis Billsten also scored single goals for UBC who outshot the Ooks two-to-one (50-25).

Saturday's finale was closer as NAIt held a 2-1 first period lead before the Thunderbirds rallied to score four of the game's final goals. Pajak added his third powerplay goal of the series, while Desloges (1-1-2), Matic (1-1-2), Mitch Bartley (1-2-3), Graham Sheppard (1-1-2) and Andrew Wasmuth (0-2-2) registered multiple-point games. Mark Nelson netted two of NAIT's three goals while Nick Stermer scored once.

A total of eight games are on the schedule for the upcoming week. Alberta, UBC and Manitoba will begin their conference schedule as the Golden Bears visit Vancouver for two games with UBC and Manitoba travels to Regina to take on the Cougars on Friday-Saturday, October 5th-6th.

Other games will see both Calgary and Manitoba play non-conference games against NCAA opposition. Following their two games series at Regina, the Bisons travel south to take on the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux on Sunday, September 7th.

The Dinos will play three games in three nights against NCAA opponents. The Calgary road trip begins in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday against the Colorado College Tigers and will also see the Dinos visit the University of Denver Pioneers on Sunday and conclude the trip against the United States Air Force Academy Falcons on Monday, October 8th.

This will be the second consecutive season that Calgary has faced-off against these three NCAA Division 1 teams. Last season the Dinos went 1-2-0, defeating Colorado College 4-2 (Oct. 1) and losing 6-3 at Denver (Sept. 30) and 4-2 against the Air Force Academy (Oct. 2).


CANADA WEST HOCKEY PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Sophomore forward DALTON PAJAK of the University of British Columbia has been named the Canada West Hockey Player of the Week for the week ending September 30, 2007.

The 6'0", 180-pound Science student from Black Creek, British Columbia scored three powerplay goals and an assist to lead the Thunderbirds to a non-conference series sweep of the NAIT Ooks on Friday-Saturday, September 28th-29th. PAJAK scored twice and added an assist to lead UBC to a 6-3 win in the series opener on Friday night and then added his third powerplay goal of the series on Saturday in the Thunderbirds 5-3 victory over the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team.

With his four-point weekend, PAJAK now sits atop the UBC scoring list with seven points, including a team-leading five goals, in five games. His seven points places him in a three-way tie for third place in the Canada West Hockey overall scoring race and he shares the conference lead in goals with Harlan Anderson of the University of Alberta and Brad Erickson of the University of Saskatchewan.

-30-

Source:

Steve Knowles, Canada West men's hockey

Huskies scratch out win through rash of penalties

Darren Zary, The StarPhoenix
Published: Saturday, September 29, 2007
Huskies 4, Cougars 2

Opposites detract.

For whatever reason, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies don't always play their best against provincial rival University of Regina Cougars.

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While the Dogs tend to bring the best out of the Cats, the Cougars sometimes bring the worst out of the Huskies.

On Friday, in their Canada West conference season-opening game at Rutherford Rink, the Huskies were hoping to change that but, instead, spent the first half of the game killing penalties.

In the end, however, the defending Canada West champions prevailed with a 4-2 victory. The two teams meet again tonight at the Brandt Centre in Regina.

"It's good to get ice time, but I don't want it that much if it means we're short-handed all the time," said Huskies winger Jason Wagar. "We got in a little trouble. We weren't playing as a team, totally and we took a lot of penalties. We'll be better.

"It's the U of S/U of R rivalry. It's always going to be tight. They play hard -- always."

The Dogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead despite spending much of the first frame killing penalties, including a four-minute, two-man disadvantage.

Brad Erickson finished off a centring pass from Myles Zimmer to make it 1-0 at 5:18. Derek Endicott got credit for a pinball goal at 13:23, making it 2-0.

Regina cut that in half when rookie Kyle Ross, who played for the Regina Pats in the WHL, scored on the power play at 11:08 of the second period.

"You're against a pretty good team that won the league last year, so you're in for a good battle," said U of R coach Blaine Sautner. "It was a 2-1 lead going into the third and we gave ourselves a chance to win.

"A couple of bad turnovers on our part and the game got away from us a bit."

In the third, Curtis Austring's nifty back-hander fooled Cougars goalie Adam Ward at 2:56. Captain Brent Twordik supplied the back-breaker with a bank shot off Ward at 9:21 to make it 4-1.

"We took a two-goal lead and got some momentum," said Twordik, who earlier was denied on a breakaway with a save that deflected off the crossbar.

Ryan Cruse of the Cougars scored a power-play marker with four seconds in the game to round out the scoring.

"There were a lot of penalties in the first period and they capitalized on their chances, but unfortunately we didn't," said Regina forward Cane Pearpoint. "I don't think we have to change our game a whole lot."

Huskies rookie Casey Lee had the best scoring chance in the opening two minutes, but was stopped on a breakaway by Ward.

dzary@sp.canwest.com