Huskies overcome first period penalties in three goal win over Cougars

It was a successful return from a bye for the Huskie men’s hockey team. The U of S posted a 5-2 win over the Regina Cougars on Friday night at Merlis Belsher Place. It wasn’t an ideal start for the home side as Saskatchewan took four minor penalties in the opening frame, two to Josh Pillar for high sticking.

Cougar defenseman Carson Sass made the Huskies pay by scoring a power play goal at the 7:25 mark of the opening frame. Regina was held to just one goal in the first 20 minutes, however being on the penalty kill for much of the first period limited Saskatchewan’s chances.

Saskatchewan found its stride in the second period. Chantz Petruic finished off a quick passing play early in the second period for his 2^nd goal of the season to make it 1-1. Saskatchewan took the lead on a 4-on-4 situation when Cougar blueliner Randen Schmidt mishandled the puck in front of his own net. Saskatchewan centre Raphael Pelletier was there to fire it past goaltender Adam Evanoff to make it 2-1. The first year centre now has three goals, five games in to the season.

After Regina’s Jakob Brook tied the game at 2, Saskatchewan pulled away for good with a pair of goals in a three-minute span. Ben Tkachuk made it 3-2 at the 8:00 minute mark of the middle frame. Carter Stebbings followed that up with a power play goal at 10:59 for his third goal of the season.