A one goal win in Winnipeg

“We knew they were gonna come a bit harder but let’s be honest, we controlled most of the play. Their goaltender made some saves early or it could have been more lopsided,” he said.

The Huskies efforts were finally rewarded at the 11:46 mark of the second when Raphael Pelletier finished off a two-on-one rush with Justin Ball as he was falling to the ice. The first-year centre, who also scored in his Huskies debut the previous night, was moved up the top line on Friday in place of the injured Liam Keeler.

“I’m just having fun out there and I got great linemates today and yesterday too,” Pelletier said. “Vinny (Loschiavo) and Ball are great players. They’ve been in the league for a while, so I think just utilizing what they know and their knowledge and just continuing to play my game is all I gotta do.”

Shortly after Pelletier’s equalizer, Manitoba’s Evan Toth was assessed a double minor for kneeing, and the Huskies made the most of the ensuing power play. Ball put Saskatchewan in front with a backdoor tap-in of a Loschiavo feed at 14:09 and 26 seconds later Colby Jaquet made it 3-1 on the second half of the man advantage with a blast from just inside the blue line for his first career U SPORTS goal.

The Bisons would answer back with a Jonny Hooker power play goal but that turned out to be all the offence they would muster.

The third period saw both teams clamping down in their own end, although the Huskies did have to endure some nervous moments in the final minute and a half after taking a penalty while on a power play of their own. Manitoba pulled goaltender Kolby Thornton for a 5-on-4 that became a 6-on-4 in the final 20 seconds, but a sprawling block of a last-ditch Hayden Ostir point shot by Ty Prefontaine ended the Bisons comeback hopes.

Ball finished the game with a goal and an assist, while Roddy Ross made 21 saves for the win in his first start of the season. The Huskies outshot the Bisons 42-23 overall.

The Huskies now return to Saskatoon with a 2-0 record as they get set for their home opener next Friday against the MacEwan Griffins.

“It gives us some confidence going into next weekend at home, and some swagger, and then we just gotta keep working on some things and fine-tune some things as we go but I like where we’re at,” Cote said. “We’re happy to get the sweep and we’re gonna look for four more points next weekend.”

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X/Twitter: @RFlahertypxp

by Ryan Flaherty

A one goal win in Winnipeg

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