Huskies open season in style

Oct 3, 2025 | 11:08 PM

It was a banner raising followed by a banner effort on Friday night at Merlis Belsher Place. The defending Canada West men’s hockey champion USask Huskies unveiled the 2024-25 banner prior to the season opener against the Mount Royal Cougars.

The home side struck first with a power play goal as veteran Dawson Holt slid the puck past Cougar goaltender Riley Sims on a scramble at the side of the net to make it 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period Cade Hayes forced a turnover and set up Raphael Pelletier at the 11:08 mark and it was 2-0. A first-year Cougar helped MRU cut in to the Huskie lead late in the middle frame as Bowden Singleton beat Huskie keeper Jordan Kooy with less than three minutes remaining in the period to make it 2-1.

The Dogs managed to keep their distance. Early in the final frame Hayes stood his ground in front of the Cougar net and was able to register his second point of the night to help USask regain the two-goal advantage.

With 6:03 left, MRU veteran Justin Lies scored his first goal of the season on the power play, and it was again a one goal hockey game. 40 seconds later Jarrett Penner of the Huskies was given a penalty, but Kooy and the Huskies held the Cougars at bay. MRU pulled Sims in the final two minutes of the game but could not get the equalizer.