Dogs tops in penalty kill
By Darren Zary of The StarPhoenix
The Hockey Huskies’ PK broiler has been sizzling hot.
The penalty-killing unit for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies has risen to No. 1 status in the Canada West, operating at a 88.1 kill efficiency after shutting down the University of Alberta Golden Bears’ power play in Saskatchewan’s most recent conference action.
The Dogs —who resume play at home this weekend with a two-game series Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m., at Rutherford Rink against the University of Manitoba Bisons — have relied on a deep penaltykilling unit to get the job done.
Captain Brent Twordik has been flanked by some newcomers to that role.
“With the new rules and how they’ve affected the game, some teams have gone to one group for power play and one group for penalty kill,” says U of S coach Dave Adolph. “The more we see, the best players are doing both for all teams. You have to be so sharp on PK now because it makes such a big difference in terms of the way a game can go.
“The last three or four weeks, the games that we’ve lost, our power play hasn’t got the job done — our penalty-kill has.
“We’ve really empowered five or six guys only. We lose Trent Adamus (to abdomen and shoulder injuries). We lose Brett Parker (to a knee injury) and they’re both outstanding penalty-killers.
“We’ve shored up our PK, maybe much to the chagrin of the majority of our bench. We’ve empowered Schmitty (Jeff Schmidt) and (Jason) Wagar to be No. 2, No. 3 the whole time and they’ve done an excellent job.”
Wagar welcomes the role.
“It’s tough to get into this lineup,” says the fi rstyear Huskie forward, who played for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champion Yorkton Terriers last season. “If I’ve got to do something to stay in it, I’m going to do it as long as I can. I’m going to try and contribute, but, yeah, that’s my job.
“I played a lot of PK in Yorkton. I played in all situations, but, yeah, I played a lot of PK.”
Meanwhile, the team’s power play is No. 4 in the league after a successful two-game series against Alberta which saw the Huskies score five with the man-advantage.
“That’s the game, though,” says assistant captain Keegan McAvoy. “You’ve got to score on the power play to win hockey games. That’s the difference.
“We’ve got to turn the season around some time. It goes by quick. We’re all halfway through the season now. Four points against the Bears was a good way to start.”
Saskatchewan is now 8-5-0-1 and third overall in the Canada West conference and first in the Great Plains east division.
Manitoba is 7-8-0-1, which put the Bisons tied for second in the Great Plains with the Regina Cougars.
DOG TALES: The Huskies wrap up the first half of the season this weekend and they’ll play only five games at home during the second half of the regular season . . . Copies of the new book: Dogs on Ice: history of hockey at the U of S will be on sale for $40 prior to Saturday’s game against the Bisons and also prior to a U of S women’s contest Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Rutherford . . . Saskatchewan and Alberta will play an exhibition charity game Dec. 31, at 1 p.m., in Lloydminster as a tune-up for the second half.
dzary@sp.canwest.com
