Courtesy. Huskie Athletics/University of Saskatchewan/GetMyPhoto.ca

By Wray Morrison

Turning defense to offense

Camryn Drever has best save percentage in Canada West women’s hockey

Jan 10, 2022 | 10:05 AM

The Huskies’ women’s hockey team hosts the Regina Cougars on Friday night (January 14^th) at 7pm at Merlis Belsher Place, before visiting the Cougars on Saturday. The Huskies start the 2022 calendar year with a 6-4-0-2 record, and sit in fifth spot in the Canada West standings with eight games remaining in the regular season. (Six of nine teams advance to the Canada West playoffs.) “Where we are now doesn’t surprise me.” said Huskies head coach Steve Kook. “3-4-5 are one point away from each other. I think that’s where we fit in.”

Mount Royal tops the Canada West standings with 20 points having won 9 of its first 12 games. UBC is in second spot with 18 points, Manitoba has 16, Alberta has 15 and the Huskies have 14. Prior to the holiday break, the Huskies lost a pair of 1-0 games to the Mount Royal Cougars (Dec 3-4) in Calgary. “We got an idea of where we stood against Mount Royal, and it’s not bad.” said Kook.

Despite many first year players on defense, the Huskies are tied for the best goals against mark in the conference allowing just 15 goals in 12 games. Third year goaltender Camryn Drever is in her first year as a starter, and has the best save percentage in the conference (0.946%). “It was no surprise to me to see the level she could play at.” said Kook. “Maybe it took a couple of games for her to figure out that yes, she can carry the load”. Drever has played in 10 of the Huskies’ 14 games to date, while rookie Colby Wilson serves as back up.

The Huskies have a very young blue line. Larissa Bohlken, Kendra Zuchotzki, Jesse Herner and Brooklyn Stevely are all first year defenders. While the Huskies’ play in their own zone has been impressive, Kook would like to see Saskatchewan’s defensive players generate offense. “It’s hard to get anything going when you are in your end more often than not”. Despite having a better than .500 record, the Huskies are averaging less than two goals per game this season. “Often you get rushes that are 1 vs. 3 or 1 vs. 4 the other way. The back end has to shoot a little more and be given the green light to find some seams.”

The goal is simple in the new calendar year. “We’re going to try score more.” said Kook. Getting out of the zone cleaner, and support on offensive chances is the game plan for the stretch run of the 2021-22 season. Getting second chances, better looks, and adding a second layer to the offense is the teams’ priority going in to this home and home series with the Huskies’ provincial rival.

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Daniella Ponticelli will have play-by-play of the January 14^th and 15^th contests against Regina on the HuskieFAN app, and HuskieFAN.ca with both games starting at 7pm.