Keaton Sorensen's shorthanded goal helped power the Huskies to a 4-3 win over the MRU Cougars on Feb. 3. Photo credit: Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards/Huskie Athletics

By Ryan Flaherty

valuable victory

Special teams stand out as Huskies earn split with Cougars

Feb 3, 2024 | 11:49 PM

A shorthanded goal by Keaton Sorensen proved to be the difference as the Huskies men’s hockey team bounced back from a Friday night loss to defeat the Mount Royal Cougars 4-3 at Flames Community Arenas on Saturday.

The Dogs also scored three power play goals in the victory, which brought an end to the Cougars’ 12-game winning streak and gave Saskatchewan a much-needed split of their weekend series.

The outcome was the result of the type of effort that could take the Huskies a long way in the postseason

“You could tell there was a calmness in the room. We didn’t get too wound up about anything and we definitely deserved the win. We stuck with it so I’m really happy with our response tonight,” head coach Brandin Cote said.

The Huskies looked sharp from the opening faceoff, winning a majority of loose puck battles and spending plenty of time in the offensive zone. However, MRU goaltender Shane Farkas stopped all ten shots he faced in the first period and late in the frame, Canada West leading scorer Connor Bouchard, who saw his 21-game point streak snapped a night earlier, netted a power play goal to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead after one.

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Faced with an early deficit for the second straight night, the Huskies had an answer. After killing a penalty to begin the second period, Saskatchewan got a power play of its own and Landon Kosior wasted little time beating Farkas for his third goal of the season to level the score.

The Cougars would go back in front on Bouchard’s second of the night at the 13:37 mark but once again the Huskies responded on the man advantage, with Liam Keeler tipping home a Kosior shot for his fifth goal of the season.

Shortly after the equalizer, Cougars forward Robbie Holmes took a healthy run at Kosior, delivering a high, late hit on the Huskies defenceman behind the Saskatchewan net. Holmes was assessed a major penalty for charging and a game misconduct, giving the Dogs a five-minute power play. Kosior was down on the ice for a few moments after the hit but stayed in the game.

“I didn’t like the hit at all. I thought it was predatory to be honest with you but I’m just happy (Kosior) got up and he’s okay,” Cote said.

Saskatchewan could not capitalize before the end of the period but in the opening minute of the third with time winding down in the major, Chantz Petruic got a shot through traffic and past Farkas to give the Huskies the lead.

The Huskies defence also did its part as the final period progressed, holding Mount Royal without a shot for over half of the frame. A too many men call against Saskatchewan gave the Cougars a chance to tie the score but instead, the Dogs lit the lamp as Ben Tkachuk raced down the right side and sent the puck towards the net and a streaking Sorensen.

“I had the easy part. Chucky made a really good play in the D zone there getting the puck out and then keeping with it, fending off a guy and I don’t know if he meant to go far pad or meant to pass to me but it went off the goalie there and just went right on my stick,” Sorensen said.

The Dogs’ seventh shorthanded goal of the season turned out to be huge as Tristan Zandee scored at 18:08 with Farkas on the bench for an extra skater to get the home side back within one. But Saskatchewan clamped down after that, snuffing out every Cougars attack and hanging on for the win.

The Huskies finished the night three-for-six on the power play and outshot the Cougars 36-28. Jordan Kooy made 25 saves to record his eighth win of the season, while Farkas stopped 32 shots in a losing effort.

With the victory, Saskatchewan is now 17-6-1 but still in fifth place, one point behind the Alberta Golden Bears, who were also winners on Saturday. However, the Huskies still have four games to play while the teams ahead of them have only two.

The Dogs will now fly to B.C. to make up the two games against the Trinity Western Spartans that were postponed in January. The opener of the two-game set is scheduled for 2 p.m. PST (4 p.m. in Saskatchewan) on Monday at the Langley Events Centre. Both games will be broadcast live on HuskieFAN.

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