Game 1 TELUS University Cup: No. 5 Huskies erupt in third, upset No. 2 Acadia 5-1

By Dan Carle

EDMONTON (CIS) - A Saskatchewan eruption resulted in a dominant Huskies victory.

The No. 5 Saskatchewan Huskies struck for four straight goals in an eight-minute span of the third period to beat No. 2 Acadia 5-1 Thursday in the opening game of round robin play at the CIS University Cup men's hockey championship.

TELUS University Cup web site: www.cisport.ca/e/championships/m_hockey/2006

Captain Brent Twordik redirected Dean Beuker's shot for the winner at 9:24 of the third period before Colin Johnson, Beuker, and Matt Girling added goals 3:19 apart as the 1-0 Huskies finished the game with three powerplay goals on seven attempts.

"It could have easily been 5-0 right off the bat for us," said Twordik, who also set up Jeff Schmidt's goal for a 1-0 lead after the Huskies 12-shot first period. "We played a strong game from start to finish."

The Huskies, seeking its second University Cup title and first since 1982-83, outshot Acadia 39-19 and won numerous physical battles before an afternoon crowd of 1,268 fans at Clare Drake Arena to begin the six-team championship tournament.

Blair Jarrett scored for 0-1 Acadia, champions of the Atlantic conference.

Jarrett tied the game 1-1 after putting a rebound into an open net at 2:22 of the third period before the Huskies struck for four straight goals.

Axemen defenceman Kane Ludwar was accessed a game misconduct and five-minute major for checking from behind after pasting Girling into the corner at 6:35 of the first period.

Girling lay prone for several minutes but ended up missing only one shift.

The Huskies outshot Acadia 14-5 in the plodding, scoreless second period marked only by Saskatchewan defenceman Dean Serdachny levelling Axemen leading scorer Kevin Baker and knocking him from the game with an awkward hit at the door to the Huskies bench.

The Axemen also lost forward Josh Dill to a separated shoulder in the second period.

"I was impressed with how physical they played," said Axemen coach Darren Burns. "It certainly took its toll."

Acadia plays Lakehead Friday (1:00 MT) in its second and final round robin game, while the Huskies will play Lakehead Saturday (11:00 a.m. MT) to conclude pool play.

The national final will be played Sunday (7:00 p.m. MT, TSN).

NOTES: Dozens of Axemen fans were sporting white carboard cut-out hockey helmets.

SCORING SUMMARY

Saskatchewan 5, Acadia 1

FIRST PERIOD

SCORING:

1. SAS Jeff Schmidt (1), (B. Twordik, D. Beuker), 4:03 PP

PENALTIES:

D. Beuker (SAS) slashing, 0:29; B. Horan (ACA) interference, 3:12; K. Ludwar (ACA) checking-from-behind major, game misconduct, 6:35; J. Schmidt (SAS) interference, 14:03.

SECOND PERIOD

SCORING:

No scoring.

PENALTIES:

P. Mitsou (ACA) interference, 0:32; D. Endicott (SAS) checking-to-the-head minor, 10-min. misconduct, 7:09; D. Serdachny (SAS) interference, 16:21; K. McAvoy (SAS), P. Mitsou (ACA) roughing, 16:21.

THIRD PERIOD

SCORING:

2. ACA Blair Jarrett (1) (M. Quinn), 2:22
3. SAS Brent Twordik (1) (D. Beuker), 9:24
4. Colin Johnson (1) (T. Adamus, K. McAvoy), 13:50 PP
5. Dean Beuker (1) (C. Johnson)), 15:24 PP
6. Matt Girling (1) (A. McAvoy), 17:09

PENALTIES:

B. Benedict (ACA) slashing, 2:57; Team (ACA) too many men (served by S. Fryia), 13:01; R. Sutherland (ACA) roughing, 14:11, B. Sutherland (ACA) slashing, 18:44; C. Austring (SAS) holding the stick, 19:14.

POWER PLAY:
SAS: 3/7
ACA: 0/4

SHOTS ON GOAL (by period)
SAS: 12-14-13:39
ACA: 9-5-6:20

GOALTENDERS
SAS - Jeff Harvey (W, 20 shots, 19 saves, 60:00)
ACA - John Ceci (L, 39 shots, 34 saves, 60:00)

ELITE SPORTSWEAR PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
SAS: Brent Twordik
ACA: John Ceci

REFEREE: Francis Charron

LINESMEN: Matt Beaudry, Ray Damphousse

ATTENDANCE: 1268

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times LOCAL / Mountain Time)

Pre-tournament seeding

1. Alberta Golden Bears
2. Acadia Axemen
3. Lakehead Thunderwolves
4. McGill Redmen
5. Saskatchewan Huskies
6. Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks

Thursday, March 23
Game 1 (Clare Drake Arena): Saskatchewan 5, Acadia 1
19:00 Game 2 (Clare Drake Arena): McGill (4) vs. Wilfrid Laurier (6)

Friday, March 24
13:00 Game 3 (Clare Drake Arena): Lakehead (3) vs. Acadia (2)
19:00 Game 4 (Clare Drake Arena): Alberta (1) vs. Loser Game 2

Saturday March 25
11:00 Game 5 (Clare Drake Arena): Saskatchewan (5) vs. Lakehead (3)
16:00 Game 6 (Clare Drake Arena): Alberta (1) vs. Winner Game 2 (live on TSN)

Sunday March 26
19:00 Championship final (Rexall Place): (TSN / following NHL broadcast)

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