Hockey Dogs get assist from Cougars

Regina scores on own net; Wallin continues to pile up points

By Darren Zary
of The StarPhoenix

Huskies 6, Cougars 3

The goal was so fluky and so unworthy that University of Saskatchewan captain Brent Twordik was ungrateful.

He was not alone.

It seemed like nobody on the Huskies wanted to take credit for the team’s third goal in a 6-3 victory over the Regina Cougars during Canada West conference men’s hockey action Saturday night at Rutherford Rink.

It was a goal that Cougars rookie Ryan Cruse would certainly like to forget. While on the power play and trying to set up a breakout in Regina’s zone Cruse attempted to pass the puck behind the net. Instead, he shot it into the net, past bewildered Cougars goalie Clint Chalmers.

Twordik was credited with the goal. He declined the (dis)honour.

“It’s (defenceman Brett) Dickie’s now,” Twordik said after the Dogs evened their conference record to 2-2. “I figure Dickie needs it more than me.”

The Dogs avenged a 3-2 loss to the Cats on Friday in Regina. On Saturday, the Huskies outshot the Cougars 17-2 in the opening frame but the teams skated off knotted at 1-1. The U of S broke it open in the second with three goals, including Cruse’s gaffe, the winner as it turned out. The shot bounced off a Cougar defender’s skate past Chalmers.

“We had the effort level (Friday),” Twordik said. “We just didn’t get the bounces. Things just went our way today and we probably deserved it because we outworked them.”

Rookie defenceman play well

The Dogs — without top D-man Derek Endicott, sidelined with an injury — had rookies Evan Schafer, Greg Park and Cleve Len on the blue-line along with veterans Stephen Mann and Dickie.

“We’ve got a lot of pride in the room; all the young guys come from winning teams,” said Mann, who was named the game’s No. 1 star with a goal and assist.
Mason Wallin, who is off to a flying start with four goals and seven points in four games, Curtis Austring, Matt Girling and Park also scored for the Dogs, who outshot the Cougars 31-22. Saskatchewan was 3-for-12 on the power play. Jason Weitzel, with two, and Blair Stengler scored for Regina, which was 2-for-10 with the man advantage.

“They’re a very difficult team to play against,” U of S coach Dave Adolph said. “They play a very, very good team game and they always manage to get a power play goal, or two, that you wish you could get back.

“They key was we bounced back after their first goal. I’ll take it. We worked hard tonight.”