University of Saskatchewan Huskies forward Jared Dmytriw got the Huskies on the board early against the Grant MacEwan University Griffins, en route to a 6-1 victory on Saturday afternoon in Edmonton. (Huskie Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca)

By Katie Brickman-Young

Kooy picks up first win with Huskies

Huskies men’s hockey sweep Griffins

Feb 5, 2022 | 7:47 PM

Scoring depth was a necessity for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team and that’s exactly what they got this weekend in Edmonton.

“It is always nice when you get contributions. With some of our injuries and depth conundrums, it is nice to be able to have guys come and contribute,” said Huskies assistant coach Brandin Cote. “We are happy that they are settling in and have been a big part of our team.”

Aiden Bulych and Carter Folk led the way for the Huskies against the Grant MacEwan University Griffins.

The Huskies picked up the critical sweep over the Griffins, with a 5-0 victory on Friday evening and a 6-1 win on Saturday afternoon.

Bulych scored twice on Friday night and added another goal on Saturday. Folk notched one goal and one assist on Friday and then led the way on Saturday with two goals on Saturday afternoon.

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“Coming to a new team, it is nice to contribute. I don’t put much pressure on myself to get points, but if they are there and I get a chance to put them in the back of the net, I’ll take it every time. It feels good, but we got two wins and that’s more important,” said Bulych. “I had a lot of help with my line mates. I thought we did a good job this weekend managing pucks and getting them on net. I think we are happy with the two wins this weekend. Might as well get hot now.”

Jared Dmytriw got the Huskies on the board just 2:27 into the game on the power play. Jaxun Kaluski notched is 11th on the season late in the period on the man advantage. Bulych and Folk added to the Huskies lead in the second frame and Zane Franklin scored Saskatchewan’s sixth goal of the game late, also on the power play. The Huskies finished 4-for-5 on the advantage.

Bulych has been paired with different line mates through his five games since joining the Huskies. This weekend, he was together with veterans Wyatt Johnson and Carter Folk. That line contributed for 10 points over the two games.

“I’ve been in and out of lines. I’m with Johnson and Folk now and those are two older guys that are leading me in the right direction,” said Bulych. “I am just taking everything that I can from them. They have the experience, and they are two great guys who have welcomed me so far. I am looking forward to knowing them more.”

Getting Bulych to join the Huskies was a quick transition, but Cote knew what he was getting with the forward, as the two previously were together in the Swift Current Broncos organization.

“He has fit in nicely here. It just took him a little bit of time to settle in. I have history with him – I coached him a few years prior in Swift Current, so I was lucky to know what he has to offer. At the same time, you never know how things will fit in and react going from junior to university hockey,” said Cote. “Aiden has done a good job and he has found his spot. There is work on the other side of the puck that everyone can shore up, but he has been good. He is working and keeping things simple, and he is contributing offensively.”

It was also a big weekend in the crease for the Huskies. Jordan Kooy picked up his first victory as a member of the Huskies. His first start didn’t go according to plan, taking the 7-4 loss to Regina to start the second half. He also injured his groin in that game and has had to sit out for a while as he healed.

“I feel great. I think the boys played well, we battled and kept pucks to the outside, allowing me to see the pucks. Even when I couldn’t get there, they were there to help me out and get pucks away. Everyone played well,” said Kooy. “It feels good to finally get the first win under my belt, but we are going to go out next weekend have two good games and go from here.”

Kooy finished the night with 21 saves and secured the Huskies their 12th win on the season.

“A confidence booster for him. He hasn’t played in a year and a half, so he did get thrown into the fire,” said Cote. “He has been working hard in practice and he got the opportunity this weekend. It was great for him to come in and make some big saves when he had to, and he was solid back there.”

The weekend was a good confidence booster for the Huskies, getting back into the win column and picking up four crucial points in the standings. Saskatchewan now sits in third place with 24 points – only three points behind the top team – the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

The Huskies will host the University of Manitoba Bisons in the final series of the regular season next weekend at Merlis Belsher Place. Seeding for the playoffs will be on the line for the Huskies, who are looing to secure a home series.

“I think it was a great time to get it (the win),” said Kooy. “The team is moving in the right direction, and we are just gelling together as a team, and we will work hard and play hard next weekend.”

With files from Wray Morrison