Huskies outhustle Griffins in home opener
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With the help of an experienced goaltender, timely offense from some veterans and solid play from a number of first year players, the U of S Huskies registered a dominant 6-2 win over the MacEwan Griffins in Saskatchewan’s home opener on Friday night at Merlis Belsher Place. The home team wasted little time in getting on the board as Chantz Petruic scored 1:47 into the hockey game. Newcomer Cole Jordan registered an assist on the goal.
The Griffins. who were outplayed by Saskatchewan in the first period, attempted to keep the game close however the Huskies scored twice in less than four minutes in the late stages of the frame to take what proved to be an insurmountable lead. Gunner Kinniburgh, who scored one 2022-23 regular-season goal, scored with 4:30 remaining to make it 2-0. Then Vince Loschiavo beat GMU goaltender Ashton Abel with 45 seconds left to go in the period and a demoralized Griffins team went to the dressing room down 3-0 after 20 minutes of play.
Jordan put up his second point of the game with a helper on a Jaxan Kaluski marker to make it 4-0 early in the second period. 4th year forward Justin Ball capped off a three-point night with his second goal of the season at the 18:22 mark of the middle frame, and it was 5-0.
1st year centre Josh Pillar scored early in the third for the Huskies. Pillar, Raphael Pelletier, Cade Hayes and Ben Tkachuk, (all first year centreman) made home debuts on Friday night. MacEwan rallied with two goals in the last half of the game. Loeden Schaufler broke Jordan Kooy’s shutout bid at 11:37 mark and Vincent Scott scored with just 41 seconds remaining.
