(Wray Morrison/HuskieFAN)

By Wray Morrison

Huskies MHKY beat Regina 4-3

Late comeback lifts Huskies to victory over Cougars

Nov 30, 2022 | 9:32 AM

Call it “Delayed Gratification Night” at Merlis Belsher Place. The Huskies men’s hockey team scored three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Regina Cougars 4-3 on Tuesday and in doing so, swept a home-and-home series that began nearly a month ago.

The rare weeknight affair was the result of a scheduling change made due to a water main break at the Huskies’ home rink in early November. Saskatchewan won the opener of the two-game series in Regina on November 4th, but had to wait until this week for the rematch.

Despite trailing 1-0 after one period and 3-1 after two, the Huskies were able to rally for their second straight victory.

“I thought our first period was one of the better periods we’ve had in a long time just in terms of our pace and our energy level, and our execution was there other than burying some pucks,” head coach Brandin Cote said.

“What we know about our group is we’re not quitting and we’re always in games. They battled back, they knew when they had to buckle down, they could buckle down. I’d rather it not happen that way, but those are all learning opportunities and the good thing is we have some jam in that room where when it comes down to getting the job done, we find a way.”

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The Huskies’ power play was a major factor in the win, scoring three times including the two goals that erased the third-period deficit. Cael Zimmerman started the comeback with his seventh goal of the season before Jared Dmytriw notched his team-leading 11th to level the score. Both players finished the night with a goal and an assist, while Connor Hobbs recorded three assists. Zimmerman, a rookie who has been moved up to the team’s top power-play unit in place of the injured Vince Loschiavo, was happy to make the most of his chance.

“It’s pretty easy playing with Connor Hobbs on the back end there moving the puck around. Jared Dmytriw on the right flank, he’s a great player also. It definitely feels good when the coach has trust in you to put you on that unit to make plays,” Zimmerman said.

Less than a minute after the tying goal, Carter Stebbings put the Huskies in front for good, burying a loose puck after a goalmouth scramble. Another first-year player, the former Swift Current Bronco has scored all three of his goals in the Huskies’ last six games.

“It’s too bad for him that he didn’t stay in junior but we were lucky to get him,” Cote said. “He’s so smart and he flies under the radar but as he goes, he’s just getting more comfortable, and he’s probably the smallest guy in the league but he gets in there and he finds a way.”

The Huskies extended their home winning streak against Regina to 16 games and have won 21 of their last 22 against the Cougars overall. More importantly, they improved their record to 10-4-2 and climbed within four points of the first-place Calgary Dinos, who are coming to town this weekend to close out the first-semester schedule. It will be the Dinos’ first trip to Saskatoon since they eliminated the Huskies from last year’s Canada West playoffs.

“This is a huge weekend. Calgary’s been climbing up the ranks. I wasn’t around here last year but from what I’ve heard there’s a little bit of history so I think we owe them one,” Zimmerman said.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @wraymorrison