Huskies sweep TWU Spartans

Less than a minute later, Chantz Petruic got his third of the season.

The Spartans would strike on the powerplay midway through the first period to get on the board.

But the Huskies continued to pour it on with Zane Franklin and Kaluski scoring powerplay markers. Justin Ball would add his fourth of the season late in the first and Holt scored his second of the night on another powerplay goal with 30 seconds remaining in the frame.

“I thought we started good tonight,” said Mike Babcock, head coach of the Huskies. “I liked our power play. There was lots of things to like about our game. Our powerplay hadn’t been going, so it was great for us to score tonight. The guys feel good when they score.”

Staying focused for a full 60 minutes was a concern for the Huskies, as seen by a lack of attention to their game plan in the middle frame. Babcock didn’t like the chances his team gave up to the Spartans. The Huskies held the visiting team to just three shots in the first period but gave up 12 shots in the second period.

The team also got into penalty trouble in the second period, giving the Spartans three different man advantage opportunities. The Spartans went three-for-seven on the powerplay on Saturday night.

“Our penalty kill has been outstanding, but we did give up three softies,” stated Babcock. “I didn’t like our second period. I thought we gave up too much and giving up 12 shots is not good enough for us.”

Kaluski scored unassisted midway through the second period, notching his second of the night. Connor Hobbes would score the Huskies ninth goal of the game on the powerplay. The Huskies went four-for-eight on the man advantage.

Frustration was high throughout the game, especially for the Spartans, who are winless on the season. The game was chippy and discipline was difficult for both teams. There were 27 penalties called throughout the game, including misconduct penalties to Huskies’ Justin Ball and Spartans’ Jarrett Penner in the third period for roughing.

“As the game goes on, you are worried about people getting hurt because it is ridiculous out there. We are a team that plans on being in the playoffs and playing a long time, so you want to stay healthy as you can,” said Babcock on the feistiness of the game. “It is a fine line and, in a league, where they don’t allow fighting, you can’t just solve your problems. So, what happened tonight is what happens. Our job is to be disciplined and look after that. Their job, even though they are being beat, is to be disciplined. There are two parts to that equation.”

The Huskies had 12 players hit the scoresheet, including multiple point nights by Holt, Ballhorn, Petruic, Franklin, Carter Folk and Kaluski.

Kaluski, a four-year Western Hockey League veteran who went undrafted is enjoying his first season with the Huskies and is playing with confidence.

“My whole career has been a bit of a slow burner and working towards finding that confidence that I needed to skate wit the puck and shoot the puck and make plays,” said Kaluski. “I think I’ve built up every year in the Dub. Last year, I found that I had a lot of confidence that I haven’t had in a long time and I’m just trying to keep that with me this year.”

Babcock has been impressed with the play of Kaluski and Holt so far this season.

“Kaluski flat out scores and does a good job in front of the net,” he said. “Holt is a great penalty killer and plays with elite speed and can play against anyone. He is a good shutdown guy and impressive.”

The Huskies remain undefeated this season and will look to carry their 6-0 record to Calgary next weekend when they face the University of Calgary Dinos on the road. The team has a stretch of games before the Christmas break that will see them compete against teams fighting for playoff contention.

“You want to find out if you’re any good, so we have to play those teams. We will figure that out, but we have a week to prepare for it,” said Babcock.

by Katie Brickman-Young

Huskies sweep TWU Spartans

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