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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