Bears-Huskies…another playoff series in a classic rivalry
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Bluesky
-
Share on X
- Copy Link
Drawing on last season’s playoff experience will be key as the USask men’s hockey squad hosts the Alberta Golden Bears in a Canada West, best-of-three quarterfinal, beginning Friday at Merlis Belsher Place. The Huskies overcame a 1-0 series deficit in the 2025 league semifinal to eliminate UBC in three games to secure a spot at the University Cup. In the league final, the Huskies pulled out a 3-0 win at home in the deciding game of the best-of-three championship series against Mount Royal to claim the program’s first conference banner since 2020. “We know how to win”, said head coach Brandin Cote. “We’ve been through adversity and we know we have a group that can push through.”
Neither the (11-13-1-2) Bears nor the (19-7-1-1) Huskies enter this playoff series with a ton of momentum. Alberta, which suffered its first under .500 record since 1995, lost four of their last five games of the regular season. Saskatchewan suffered 3-2 and 6-4 defeats to the MRU on the February 13-14 weekend. Cote believes dictating play on home ice will be crucial. “We are going in headfirst and going after teams. That’s how we have to be.”
The Huskies will lean on several graduating players who experienced last season’s University Cup run including forwards Chantz Petruic and Dawson Holt. The fifth-year wingers led the team in scoring with 36 points each this season. Forward Jarrett Penner, defenceman Gunner Kinniburgh and goaltender Jordan Kooy are also in their final seasons with the Huskies.
Alberta has a potent offense, led by forwards Adam and Justin Hall who both had 26 points each this season, as did fifth-year defender Dawson Davidson who had 12 assists on the power play. Cote suggested that the Bears’ regular season record may be deceiving. “Their top guys are still elite players in this league. They have a proven program.”
