Serdachny hits the spot
Defenceman’s first career goal with Huskies comes in prime time
By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix
Huskies 5, Bisons 4
Dean Serdachny hadn’t scored a goal in three seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
Imagine everyone’s surprise when this meaty, strong-armed, stay-at-home defenceman found himself alone in the slot while his team was short-handed. Never in his wildest dreams could Serdachny imagine such a thing.
“Not a chance,” said Serdachny, whose clutch goal helped spark the Huskies to a 5-4 victory Saturday night over the Manitoba Bisons at Rutherford Rink and guaranteed the Dogs a spot in the Telus University Cup national championship tournament.
“I was kind of in the middle of nowhere and the puck came to me. I just did the first thing that came to me and that was put it in the net. It was my first CIS goal, but there was no better time.”
Huskies going to nationals
Serdachny calmly deked Manitoba goalie Kirster Toews and backhanded the puck through the five-hole. Saskatchewan won the best-ofthree Canada West semi-final 2-0.
“I knew it was going to be a one-goal game and before the weekend I said an unknown guy was going to win it for us,” said U of S coach Dave Adolph.
The Huskies meet the Alberta Golden Bears in a best-of-three Canada West final this weekend in Edmonton. Both teams advance to the six-team national tournament, March 22-26 in Edmonton, along with the Atlantic conference champions and three teams from the Ontario/Quebec conference.
Keegan McAvoy, Mason Wallin, Jeff Schmidt and Trent Adamus, with the winner, also scored for Saskatchewan, which never trailed in the game.
“They play extremely hard,” said Serdachny. “They gave us a battle from start to finish.”
David Brown, Warren McCutcheon, Paul Deniset and Kevin Saurette replied for Manitoba.
“It’s obviously disappointing,” said Saurette, who missed the final 10 minutes while serving a misconduct for a vicious elbow to the head of U of S captain Brent Twordik. “We thought we deserved a better fate, at least a third game. “We knew we’d have to give everything we had. We’re proud how everyone played.” The Bisons were 2-for-7 on the power play. The Dogs were good on one of seven chances. Saskatchewan outshot Manitoba 28-27. “It was definitely a lot closer than we wanted it to be,” said Schmidt. “In both games we made a lot of crucial mistakes . . . We’ve got to shore up a lot on our defensive game. We’d get a big goal and get the momentum and it seemed like we’d be giving it up the next shift. They’d come back and burn us.”
Trailing 2-0, Manitoba scored twice in the final minute of the first period to tie the game. With the Huskies leading 3-2 in the second, Deniset scored short-handed to again tie the game. Then after Serdachny scored to put the Dogs up 4-3, Saurette scored a power-play goal 36 seconds later.
Dogs explosive, says Bisons coach
Adamus responded with the winner 47 seconds later.
“You’re competing, you’re battling and then all of a sudden it’s over,” Bisons coach Mike Sirant said. “Every time we seemed to battle back, we’d have a breakdown and they’d capitalize. They’re a very explosive team.
“Give our guys a lot of credit. We came in as big underdogs, but I think we represented ourselves well and battled hard and really challenged the Huskies.”
Adolph thanked the Bisons for the challenge.
“Yes, we were 5-0-1 against Manitoba this season and Regina gave us some fits in bursts, but we’ve got the best division in the country and that score shows you that,” Adolph said.
Serdachny, who took a lot of abuse on the ice without retaliation, savoured the win. “It’s a team game here,” he said. “We’ve got to suck it up for everybody in the dressing room. I’m not afraid to take a few shots to the head to give us a win.” DOG TALES: The Huskies played most of the game without centre Matt Girling, who reinjured his shoulder.
Bears dispatch DInos
The University of Alberta Golden Bears advanced to the Canada West conference men’s hockey final for the 11th straight year after beating the Calgary Dinos 2-0 in a best-of-three series. Game scores were 8-1 and 7-4 Centre Brad Tutschek, winger Dylan Stanley and defenceman Harlan Anderson each had four points for Alberta in the series. Aaron Sorochan made 42 saves and allowed five goals in two games. dzary@sp.canwest.com
