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Huskies prepare for home and home series with the Regina Cougars

Nov 2, 2022 | 1:01 PM

The Huskie men’s hockey team battles its provincial rival following a bye week in the 2022-23 Canada West hockey schedule. On Friday November 4th Saskatchewan visits the Regina Cougars at 7pm. The two teams meet again at Merlis Belsher Place on Saturday. The third place Huskies sit a point back of Mount Royal and three points back of the front running Alberta Golden Bears in the Canada West standings. The Huskies have two games in hand on both teams.

The Cougars have a win and an overtime loss so far this season. Three of Regina’s top six scorers are defensemen. Saskatoon product Tyler Heidt has 9 points in eight games, while veterans Brady Pouteau and Brennan Riddle factor in to the Cougar offense as well. “They’re big parts of their team”, said Huskie coach Brandin Cote.

Last season the Cougars secured a Canada West playoff spot and finished just five points back of the fourth place Huskies. Regina defeated Saskatchewan 7-4 in a January 14th game at The Co-operators Centre. Cote has addressed how damaging lapses can be in Canada West hockey. “You can’t take them lightly. Our guys are mature. I know our leadership group is aware of it.”

Second year goaltender Roddy Ross, from Meadow Lake, will get the start on Friday night. “You want to ride the guy who is hot”, said Cote. Ross is 5 and 1 with a 2.16 goals against average. Back up Jordan Kooy has played in just two games this season with a win and a loss. Cote has said he would like to get Kooy about eight starts in this 28 game season, but didn’t say when the Bradford, Ontario product will get his next chance. “Roddy is going to start on Friday, then we are going to play it by ear”, said Cote.

This men’s hockey series is also part of the U-Prairie Challenge, presented by SaskMilk. It’s a season long points based competition between the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan which involves several sports. “There is some pride with this inter-province stuff”, said Cote. “We have to be ready!”

Both the Friday and Saturday night games can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app and HuskieFAN.ca.

The November 2nd Coach’s Show with Brandin Cote

Both the Friday, and Saturday, contests can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app and HuskieFAN.ca.

wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison

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