UBC completes series sweep in Saskatoon

“I don’t know why.” Huskie coach Brandin Cote was at a loss to explain another slow start in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the UBC Thunderbirds at Merlis Belsher Place. Saskatchewan fell behind 2-0 and were outshot 17-9 in the first period. “We came out flat and they didn’t”, said Cote. “I can’t explain it, we are going to have to figure it out though.” Friday night the visitors dictated play early and made a first period Jordan Sandhu goal stand up as the winner in a 1-0 victory over the Huskies.

The same scenario played out Saturday with Saskatchewan on its heels for the first 20 minutes of the contest. UBC’s Chris Douglas scored his third goal of the season a half minute in to the hockey game. The T-Birds took a two goal lead with 25 seconds remaining in the first frame, when Sam Huo found the net.

The Huskies played much more connected hockey in the second period, outshooting UBC 13-5. Vince Loschiavo put the home side on the board with a power play goal at 7:49. Loschiavo, who now has six goals in 22 games this season, then scored the equalizer on a tip from an Evan Fiala shot at the 11:10 mark of the third period. However, the Thunderbirds put the finishing touches on a two game sweep when 2^nd year forward Liam Kindree buried the winner with just 1:13 left in the game.

The Huskies are missing three veteran forwards. Jaxan Kaluski and Aiden Bulych have been injured, while Jared Dmytriw, who has 27 point in 18 games this season, is at the FISU games in Lake Placid, New York. The team is not using that as an excuse.