Second period surge powers Huskies to victory in Regina

The Huskies outshot the Cougars 10-7 in the frame.

The second period began similarly as the first but then both teams started taking penalties and the ensuing chaos actually seemed to benefit the visitors. The teams combined for 28 penalty minutes in the frame and despite being unable to convert on several power play opportunities, the Dogs eventually broke through as Loschiavo grabbed a Ty Prefontaine pass and sped into the Cougars zone before ripping a low shot past Regina netminder Adam Evanoff.

“We had a bunch of guys on both power play units in the box, and trying to look up and down the bench to see who was going next and we got it figured out, but it actually got guys talking and engaged and I don’t know if that was it or not but it was one of those things where I think it just shocked the system a little bit,” Cote said.

Before Loschiavo’s goal had even been announced, a turnover in the neutral zone gave Petruic and Colby Jacquet a two-on-one opportunity and the latter set up the former for his third goal of the year. The two goals came 25 seconds apart and all of a sudden it was a brand new hockey game.

The Dogs weren’t done there. With less than three minutes left in the period, Loschiavo found Raphael Pelletier streaking down the middle of the ice and the rookie continued his hot start, burying his team-leading fourth goal of the season, and second in as many games. Pelletier has been centering the Huskies top line since Liam Keeler went down with injury in the season opener and Cote continues to be impressed with his performance.

“I coached Raph with Team Alberta at the WHL Cup way back when and then I coached him in Swift Current, too, so I know all about him. He’s a great kid,” Cote said. “He’s been thrown into a situation he maybe didn’t expect right off the bat but he’s done well and I knew he was going to be a really important part of the team.”

The third period was a much more sedate affair, at least for the officials, who assessed just one minor penalty in the frame, but the Huskies had already done enough damage, keeping the Cougars from mounting a comeback of their own. Saskatchewan outshot Regina 36-24 on the night and Roddy Ross made 22 saves to earn his fourth win of the season.

Saskatchewan is now 6-0 and still standing as one of two undefeated teams in the Canada West alongside the 8-0 UBC Thunderbirds. The Huskies will be back home next weekend as they look to extend their winning streak against the Trinity Western Spartans, with games scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Both games can be heard on HuskieFAN.

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Twitter/X: @RFlahertypxp

by Ryan Flaherty

Second period surge powers Huskies to victory in Regina

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