Courtesy: Liam Richards/Electric Umbrella/Huskie Athletics

By Wray Morrison

Huskies secure University Cup Berth

Saskatchewan hosts Canada West Championship

Mar 2, 2025 | 11:27 PM

For the first time in five years, the Huskie men’s hockey team will play for a Canada West title. The Huskies defeated the UBC Thunderbirds 4-2 in the third and deciding game of the conference semifinals, in front of over 2,600 fans, at Merlis Belsher Place on Sunday night. The win also gives the Huskies a berth to the University Cup which is set for Ottawa from March 20^th to the 23^rd.

After losing the opening game of the series in overtime, Saskatchewan rebounded with a Saturday night, 3-2, victory to force a third game. “We knew we had to be way tighter”, said head coach Brandin Cote. Saskatchewan jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead Sunday on goals from Parker Gavlas and Dawson Holt. The Huskies never gave the T-Birds much of a chance to possess the puck in their zone. “We frustrated the crap out of them”, Cote said.

The T-Birds responded with a stronger second period. The visitors cut the Huskie lead to one when Chris Douglas scored his first of the playoffs at 11:31 of the middle frame. Saskatchewan’s Trevor Wong gave Saskatchewan a 3-1 second period lead, before UBC pulled to within one again as Cyle McNabb scored with 10 seconds left in the period. “It felt like we were on our heels a little bit in the second period”, said 5^th year forward Vince Loschiavo. “But we are such a veteran group. Going into the third we calmed down and got back to how we were playing in the first period.”

T-Bird attempts to tie the game were marginalized because of four minor penalties in the final 20 minutes. “You lose rhythm and lose the flow of your rotation”, said UBC head coach Sven Butenschon. The Huskies, who had the conference’s best power play in the regular season and scored all three goals on the man advantage on Saturday night, struck again in the third period as 4^th year centre, Chantz Petruic, buried his third goal of the series at 12:49 of the third period. UBC had just one power play chance in the hockey game. 4^th-year Huskie goalie Jordan Kooy made 33 saves for his second playoff win in as many nights.

The Huskies now host the Mount Royal Cougars in a best-of-three Canada West Final on March 7^th, 8^th and 9^th at Merlis Belsher Place. Both the Huskies and Cougars will compete in the University Cup in Ottawa later this month. MRU defeated Alberta 4-2 in the deciding game of the conference’s other semi-final series. When asked about going to the University Cup, Loschiavo said his priority was on the conference final. “We want to win Canada West”, he said. “We aren’t focused on nationals quite yet. We want to go in through the front door, not the back door.”

Huskies secure University Cup Berth

Saskatchewan hosts Canada West Championship

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T-Birds pull out OT win in semi final opener

Mar 01, 2025

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wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

X: @wraymorrison