Huskies get ready for stretch drive
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A 41-day break comes to an end on January 10th for the Huskie men’s hockey team when they visit the Regina Cougars to continue the 2024-25 Canada West season. Saskatchewan blanked the ACAC’s Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, 8-0, on Friday night in the first of two exhibition games at Merlis Belsher Place. Despite the lopsided score, the Huskies believe it was valuable to get some game action in before conference play resumes. “The pace is a lot higher than practice”, said 4th year Huskie forward Chantz Petruic who scored two goals in Friday night’s shut-out win.
The Huskies played their last conference game on November 30 th. First-year Huskie Ethan Regnier, who played at Mount Royal before joining the U of S, is aware that the holiday break can be a long one. He also believes it’s a benefit to having Red Deer visit the U of S campus. “Games don’t compare to practices”, he said. “I thought it was good. We started slower but shook off some rust.”
The Huskies sit two points back of front running Alberta in the Canada West east division standings with 12 games remaining. U of S coach Brandin Cote confirmed that getting exhibition game action in with so much on the line for the stretch drive is important. “It’s huge. You can work out all you want. They (Red Deer) are a great group of guys and I’m happy we can help each other get ready for the last half of the year.”
The Golden Bears have 26 points on top of the east division standings while the Huskies have 24. Saskatchewan is 1 and 3 against Alberta this season with the final season series scheduled for January 24th and 25th at Merlis Belsher Place. The mandate for the final stage of the regular season is quite simple according to Cote. “Get as many points as you can”, he said. “We have to play really physical and tight and structured.”
