Playoff preview: Huskies men’s hockey set to host Dinos in QF

The Huskies have used the time off to get healthier and prepare for their opponent using lively practices to stay in the right mindset.

“The focus (this week) was on competitiveness and trying to keep a game-like atmosphere. Being competitive and making sure guys are pushing each other as they would in a game,” said Huskies’ captain, Gordie Ballhorn. “We didn’t want to get into a practice mentality. We wanted to make sure our minds were right every time we stepped on the ice for practice as we lead into the big match-up.”

In the regular season match-up, the Huskies and Dinos split their two games, both 2-1 contests. The Huskies won in double overtime and then lost in the rematch. The loss was the first handed to the Huskies on the season in November. Prior to that first loss, Saskatchewan was 7-0 to start the season.

Since that loss in November, it has been a rollercoaster of a ride for the Huskies. They went 9-3 in the first half of the season and 4-4 in the second half and dealt with several significant injuries.

“I thought our worst hockey was right after Christmas and it took us some time to recover and play the way we wanted to play. I believe we’ve gotten better and now that has to show,” said Babcock. “Our schedule has been tougher since that point. Our best lineup that we played (with) was against Mount Royal. That was the deepest lineup we’ve had all year long. Since that time, we haven’t been near as deep. The weekend we went to Calgary, we had the exact same lineup that we have now. Which is good for us. We know we match up well.”

The match-up against the Dinos might be the most competitive quarter-final. The teams are only separated by one point in the standings. Saskatchewan finished with 13 wins and Calgary finished with 12 wins. They both finished with seven losses.

“They are a good team, and they will be competitive,” said Ballhorn. “They probably want to think they should have placed higher in the standings, but the dust settled where it did, and we are playing them in the first round. I think it is going to be one of the more competitive matchups in the playoffs.”

Specialty teams could become a difference-maker in this series. Saskatchewan owns the best penalty kill and power play in Canada West, while Calgary is fourth in the specialty teams rankings.

“We’ve had the best speciality teams in Canada West,” said Babcock. We continue to work and build off that. We feel that we give up too many goals, so that has been a focus.”

The Huskies have struggled with slow starts this season and that will be something they look to clean up heading into the quarter-finals. They know what is on the line this weekend – win and continue or lose and their season is over.

“I think we’ve been chasing games a lot. Coming out in the first period and maybe giving up the first goal,” said Ballhorn. “We want to set the tone and play on our terms.”

With both games against the Dinos being low-scoring affairs, the battle at the net will be important for the Huskies to win.

“I think both nets (will be significant). If we get on top of their goalie and us as defensemen, if we keep them away from our goalies, I think that’s where the game will be won or lost,” said Ballhorn. “It always seems like when we play them, there is always a greasy goal that is banged in from the crease. If we can win the net battles and capitalize on those chances, we will be successful.”

At this point of the season, it’s go time for every player on the roster. They have missed significant players down the stretch and Babcock wasn’t forthcoming on who – if anyone – would be returning to the lineup for the playoffs. Despite the adversity and some players taking on new roles, the message has always been clear.

“I think this whole time, we’ve been thinking about playoffs and gearing up for that – no matter what went on during the year. We’ve needed guys to adapt and take on new roles to be successful,” said Ballhorn. “We’ve worked all year for this. We are probably one of the most prepared teams in the country. Everyone knows what they need to do. It’s just a matter of trusting themselves and believing in each other. We have to trust the other four guys on the ice.”

In the best of three series, all games will be played at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and on Sunday, if necessary. You can hear all the live action on the HuskieFAN app or at huskiefan.ca.

Regular Season Round-up

Canada West Standings

1. University of Alberta (16-3-1-1) 26 points (earned bye to semifinal)

2. University of British Columbia (14-5-2-1) 29 points (earned bye to semifinal)

3. Mount Royal University (13-6-0-1) (hosts #6 in quarter-final)

4. University of Saskatchewan (13-7-1-0) 26 points (hosts #5 in quarter-final)

5. University of Calgary (12-7-1-1) 25 points

6. University of Regina (10-9-0-1) 21 points

Regular Season Leaders – Huskies

Points: Zane Franklin, first-year forward, 26 points (third in Canada West)

Noteworthy: Jared Dmytriw, Donovan Neuls and Connor Hobbs finished with 22 points

Goals: Jaxon Kaluski, first-year forward, 13 goals (third in Canada West)

Noteworthy: Justin Ball, second-year forward, 10 goals

Assists: Zane Franklin, first-year forward, 20 assists (second in Canada West)

Noteworthy: Connor Hobbs, first-year defenseman, 18 assists

Games Played: Despite injuries to the Huskies, they had six players see action in all 20 games: Zane Franklin, Jared Dmytriw, Donovan Neuls, Justin Ball, Carter Folk and Ty Prefontaine.

PIMs: Zane Franklin, first-year forward, 54 penalty minutes (second in Canada West)

Noteworthy: Connor Hobbs, first-year defenseman, 38 penalty minutes

Goaltending: Roddy Ross, first-year goaltender, 2.56 GAA; .886 save percentage; 13 games played with 703:08 minutes played (ranked fourth in Canada West)

Noteworthy: Travis Child, third-year goaltender, 2.77 GAA; .874 save percentage; six games played with 300:18 minutes played; Jordan Kooy, first-year goaltender, 2.77 GAA; .886 save percentage in four games played with 194:49 minutes played.

Specialty teams: Saskatchewan is first in power play (28.1%) and first in penalty kill (85.3%) in Canada West.

Goals for: The Huskies have scored 90 goals this season.

Goals against: The Huskies have given up 53 goals this season.

Differential: A difference of 37, second-best in Canada West.

Season Overview

The Huskies started the season 7-0 before losing to the Dinos in November. They lost three straight games (Dinos and UBC). They beat Mount Royal twice to round out the first half.

They went 9-3 in the first half of the season.

The second half was a bit more of a rollercoaster. They split games to Regina, lost two to the University of Alberta, defeated MacEwan twice and split with Manitoba to end the regular season.

They went 4-4 in the second half of the season.

by Katie Brickman-Young

Playoff preview: Huskies men’s hockey set to host Dinos in QF

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