Sask. women split series with Dinos after double OT loss

“Getting the opportunity to go out there, and when you’re able to score a goal, it’s definitely exciting,” she said, adding it was extra special doing it in her hometown.

“Both my parents were here, so that was cool, and my brother — it was nice to kind of be in a home rink.”

The goal is the second of Lausberg’s U Sports career, the first one coming as a University of Lethbridge Pronghorn, coincidentally against Saskatchewan. Lausberg played in one game with the Huskies during her third year in 2021-22.

Saskatchewan didn’t hold the lead for long. Calgary points-leader Elizabeth Lang responded 9:30 into the first, helped by Annaliese Meier and Brooke Dennett, for her eighth goal of the season.

Tied 1-1 into the second period, Saskatchewan’s Kara Kondrat gave the Huskies the lead off a power play goal, her third of the season, assisted by Isabella Pozzi and Sophie Lalor.

But once again, the Dinos found the equalizer.

Less than two minutes later, rookie Jada Leung scored her first as a Dino helped by Brette Kerley and fellow first-year Jolie Nafziger.

Maintaining the 2-2 tie through the third, the teams pushed their fourth and final regular-season meeting into double overtime.

Despite their best efforts, and plenty of chances, the Huskies were dealt heartbreak 2:55 minutes into second overtime when Dinos fifth-year Ali Borrow sped down the ice on a breakaway to beat Huskies goaltender Cameron Drever for the 3-2 win.

Drever made 33 saves on the night, for a total of 60 saves this weekend. She heads into the holiday break having played 13 games of 18 for a record of six wins, five losses and two overtime losses.

“Calgary is a way better team than people give them credit for and way better than their standings in Canada West,” Drever said after the game.

The Dinos head into the holiday break one rank above where they entered the weekend: sixth in Canada West with a 7-10-0-1 record. Durante made 32 saves on the night to secure the win.

Notching three of a possible four points this weekend, Saskatchewan is still fourth in Canada West.

The Huskies maintained their ranking as No. 1 penalty kill in Canada West — neutralizing seven Calgary powerplays Saturday.

Saskatchewan especially showed their strength on the kill near the end of the first overtime, when a tripping call on Kelsey Hall lead to a four-on-three opportunity for Calgary.

“Our PK played phenomenally all weekend,” said Drever. “Just blocking shots, keeping pucks to the outside. I just can’t give them enough credit for all they did this weekend.”

The Huskies now have 10 wins, five losses and three overtime defeats through the first 18 games of the 2022-23 season.

This year marks the first 28-game regular season for U Sports women’s hockey since the 2019-20 season, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saskatchewan will start the new year at home, hosting the Trinity Western University Spartans at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon for the first time ever on January 6 and 7.

The Huskies opened the season on the road against TWU in Langley, B.C., splitting that series.

HuskieFAN’s Daniella Ponticelli will have the calls from Saskatoon. Puck drops for both games at 7 p.m.

by Daniella Ponticelli

Sask. women split series with Dinos after double OT loss

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