Huskies prepare for Brock University in 1st test at nationals

Bourassa and fourth-year Abbey Shirley are the only two Huskies players with previous nationals experience.

The 2021-22 Huskies women’s hockey team pose together at Point Prim Lighthouse in PEI on March 22, 2022. (Huskie Athletics)

The two were in their second and first years, respectively, when the 2017-18 squad came fourth at the U Sports Championship in London, Ont.

Which such a young core, and the time in between, Bourassa said the current Huskies team really is new to the whole experience.

“Essentially, our team has never been nationals,” said Bourassa.

“So we just have to come in with that same mindset. We should be energetic and excited to be here, and if we go in with that mentality, we will be totally fine.”

The University of Saskatchewan starts their fourth pursuit for a first national title on Friday, March 25, at 3 p.m. EST or noon CST.

The fifth-seed Huskies will take on the fourth-seed Brock University Badgers, a team making their first nationals appearance after winning their first Ontario Athletic University title.

Brock is helmed by head coach Margot Page, a renowned former Canadian national team player and coach, who has also coached in the NCAA.

The starting bracket for the 2022 U Sports women’s hockey championship held in Charlottetown, PEI. (U Sports)

Saskatchewan had its first practice at MacLauchlin Arena in PEI on Tuesday.

Huskies assistant coach Nolan Horbach, who works with the team’s forwards, told HuskieFAN it was a good skate to get moving after nearly a full day of bus and plane travel.

“We just wanted to get a lot of touches in, get some shots on net and just get familiar with the rink itself. Obviously the boards, the glass is different,” said Horbach.

Just like the bulk of the players, Horbach is experiencing his first U Sports championship. He said as a coach, his focus is making sure the players know they are serious contenders.

“In the end, we just have to make sure they know that they belong here. They’ve earned the right to be here,” he said.

“The more we can get rid of those championship nerves, and just be ready to go, the better we will be.”

As the Huskies adjust to a three-hour time difference on the east coast, the team has also taken in some seaside sightseeing.

After practice Tuesday they visited the historic Point Prim Lighthouse and famous Cows Creamery factory.

The team will be back on the practice ice Wednesday morning, with a final skate time Thursday before the quarter-final Friday afternoon.

Along with Saskatchewan and Brock, the Concordia Stingers, UNB Reds, UBC Thunderbirds, Nipissing, McGill Martlets and host UPEI Panthers round out the rest of the eight teams.

The U Sports major awards and All-Canadians will be announced at a gala on Wednesday night, while the tournament officially starts Thursday afternoon when UNB takes on McGill.

With a quarter-final victory on Friday, Saskatchewan would square up with the winner of Concordia/UPEI in the national semifinal on Saturday.

Listen live to all Huskies women’s hockey games at the U Sports Championship on the HuskieFAN app and at huskiefan.ca.

by Daniella Ponticelli

Huskies prepare for Brock University in 1st test at nationals

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