Courtesy: Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

U of S earns first round bye

Huskies secure division title with one goal win over the Bisons

Feb 14, 2025 | 11:03 PM

University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s hockey fans have waited six years for this. The team secured a first-place finish in the Canada West east division standings with a 2-1 win over the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at Merlis Belsher Place. “It feels good”, said Huskie head coach Brandin Cote. It’s Saskatchewan’s first division title since 2019. The victory also means the Huskies will get a first-round bye in the Canada West playoffs and advance directly to the division final.

The Huskies jumped out to a strong start by outshooting the Bisons 17-10 in the first period. Chase Bertholet scored his third goal of the season to help the home side to a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. “Bertholet was tenacious”, said Cote. “He used his speed out there.”

Manitoba looked sharper in the second period, but the Huskies widened their lead on Keaton Sorenson’s fifth marker of the season at 13:16. With 3:51 left in the period the Bisons cut Saskatchewan’s lead in half, when fourth-year Bison Michael King notched his third marker of the season.

The Bisons were held at bay for the most part in the third period but did generate pressure in the final minute and a half of the game with goaltender Braden Holt out of the net. Manitoba did have some zone time, but thanks to some key blocks and big saves from goaltender Roddy Ross, Saskatchewan preserved the victory. Ross made 21 stops for his 10^th win in 14 games this season. Holt made 34 saves in the Bison net.

Cote tipped his cap to the Huskie depth players, including forwards Bertholet, Sorenson, Ethan Regnier and defenders such as Parker Gavlas and Logan Bairos for their contributions. “I think those guys really stood out. It’s one of those things when your top guys aren’t on, they set the tone for us.” Leading scorer Chantz Petruic didn’t get on the scoresheet while 35-point player Dawson Holt was held to one assist. “I thought at times we got a little too cute”, Cote said.

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U of S earns first round bye

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The Huskies entered the weekend with the best power-play in Canada West hockey, while the Bisons were second. However, neither team scored with the man advantage on Friday as the U of S was 0-for-4…Manitoba was 0-for-2. “I thought we had some good looks”, said Cote. “It (power-play) was just a little bit off in terms of connection.”

The second game of the series is set for Saturday afternoon at 5:00 PM at Merlis Belsher Place and can be heard on the free HuskieFAN app starting with the Pre-Game Show at 4:45 PM.

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X: @wraymorrison