Huskies Sting Cougars 3-1
Huskies Sting Cougars 3-1
U OF S MAINTAINS DIVISION LEAD
Jan 06
REGINA, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan scored twice in the second period and were able to hang on to the lead, recording a 3-1 victory over the Regina Cougars on Saturday night in men's hockey action at the Sherwood Twin Arenas.
The Huskies got goals from Curtis Austring and Mark Hinz in the second period and added an empty-netter from Brett Parker with under ten seconds left in the third. The lone Cougar goal was scored by Ryan Cruse just over halfway
through the third.
Despite referee Sheldon Dean calling seven minors during the first period, there were no goals and a total of only
11 shots during the opening frame. Seven of those 11 shots were directed towards Cougar goaltender Clint Chalmers.
Two minutes into the second, the Huskies had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Rookie forward Colin
Patterson had a partial breakaway after forcing a turnover, but rang a wrist shot off the post just beyond the
outstretched glove of Chalmers.
Just minutes later, Saskatchewan third-year forward Curtis Austring scored the game's opening goal. Austring sent a
floater towards the Cougar net that was redirected, fooling Chalmers to give the Huskies a power-play goal. Austring
was given credit for his sixth goal of the season.
Five minutes after the Austring marker, the Huskies struck again with the power play. Defenceman Mark Hinz rifled a
one-timer from the right point off a pass from Derek Endicott, beating Chalmers low to the glove side and extending the Huskies' lead to two. The goal was Hinz's fourth of the 2006-07 campaign.
After a pair of Huskie penalties in quick succession, the Cougars had a two-man advantage midway through the second,
but were unable to capitalize as the 5-on-3 was cut short by a penalty assessed to Regina forward Jason Weitzel. The
second period featured a parade to the penalty box, as 16 minor penalties were handed out.
The Cougars finally got on the board 12 minutes into the third period. A rebound off a Devon Smith wraparound attempt bounced directly to Ryan Cruse in the slot, who made no mistake and picked the top corner above Huskie goaltender Russel Monette's blocker.
A total of 31 minor penalties were called during the contest, which saw Saskatchewan go 2-for-13 on the power
play compared to Regina's 0-for-7.
Both teams ended up with 21 shots on goal during the game.
The win improves Saskatchewan's record to 11-6-1 and restores the Huskies' six-point lead atop the Great Plains Division. The Cougars drop to 7-8-3 on the year and have a two-point lead on Manitoba for second place in the division.
The Cougars will travel to Vancouver next weekend to take on the University of British Columbia. The Huskies will be at home in Rutherford Rink, hosting the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Games are Jan. 12 and 13 at 7:00pm.
Game story: Braden Konschuh, Athletic Coordinator - Sports Information,
University of Regina
