A clash of 4 and 0 teams in Edmonton this weekend
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Another weekend, another road trip for the 4 and 0 University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s hockey team. The Huskies visit another undefeated team, the (4 and 0) University of Alberta Golden Bears on October 18th and 19th at Clare Drake Arena. Come Sunday, the Huskies will have already played 5 of their 14 regular season road games. The Huskies have registered a win in Regina and two victories in Calgary to start the season. “It’s definitely good to get those”, said head coach Brandin Cote. “If you can get those road games and get as many points as you can, it’s going to go a long way.”
Cote is happy with how the new players have settled into their respective roles with the team. Winger Ethan Regnier, who played with the Swift Current Broncos while Cote was an assistant coach, scored in the eighth round of a shoot-out to lift the Huskies to a 3-2, October 4th win in Calgary. Regnier played Canada West hockey in Mount Royal for two seasons before playing senior hockey last season. “He’s a seasoned guy”, said Cote. “Our younger guys like Trevor (Wong) and Logan (Bairos) are guys who are skilled and have a good head on their shoulders. They’ve been seamless, but there is an adjustment period.”
Cote says the Bears are a team that has skill and speed with additions that include Brett Hyland from the Brandon Wheat Kings and Sean Tschigerl from the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Tshigerl has 7 points in four games, while second year winger, Aidan de la Gorgendiere, is tied for the league lead with 8 points. The Bears defensive unit looks different this season as Dylan Plouffe and Wyatt McLeod are no longer with the team. “They’ve lost a few key guys on the back end”, Cote said “If there is an area where we can take advantage of them, that would be it.”
The Huskies, who are ranked fourth in the nation, visit the Alberta Golden Bears four times this season as part of six regular season meetings. Cote admits that there is a certain way his team needs to play in a structurally unique Clare Drake Arena. “We have to keep it simple and direct. North-south. If you’re turning the puck over, they’ll make you pay. The fans are right on top of you…and heckling. It’s a great atmosphere!”
