The Huskies powered past the Bisons to improve their record to 3-1-0 early in the seaso

Coming away with two victories over the visiting University of Manitoba Bisons on Oct. 11 and 12, the University of Saskatchewan women’s hockey team  has improved to 3-1-0 on the season and are tied for second place with the University of Alberta Pandas in Canada West rankings.

The Dogs edged the Bisons 3-2 on Oct. 11, holding off a late-game offensive push to secure the win.

Kaitlin Willoughby scored the first goal for the Huskies at 8:52 in the first period off of a blue line to blue line pass from defenceman Hanna McGillivray. Willoughby sprinted down the ice and sent a shot just past the blocker of Bison goalie Dée-Ana Marion to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Manitoba netted the equalizer at 16:42. Brenley Anderson’s initial shot was blocked by Huskies goalie Cassidy Hendricks but Anderson was there to net her own rebound. The first period ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Bisons grabbed the lead when Amy Lee shot Maggie Litchfield-Medd’s deflected attempt past Hendricks. Manitoba was able to score despite being short-handed on the play.

Willoughby drew the score even at 2-2 with her second goal of the night at 16:31 in the second period.

Cassandra Jorgenson scored the game winning goal for the Huskies at 7:52 in the third period during a power play.

The Dogs had many opportunities on power plays throughout the night, as Manitoba players spent 25 minutes in the box for 11 infractions, but the Huskies were only able to turn the advantage into a goal once.

Despite being constantly outnumbered, the Bisons continued to pressure the Huskies in their end. Precision goaltending and quick clearing by the Dogs’ defence saw the Bison threat off.

The Bisons outshot the Huskies 27-22 on the night and Hendricks made 25 saves while at the other end of the ice Marion turned away 19 shots.

The second game was also a close affair as the Huskies needed overtime to defeat the Bisons 4-3. Cami Wooster scored the game-winning goal in the opening seconds of added time.

Manitoba scored the only goal of the opening period when Litchfield-Medd fired a slap shot into the left side of the net. The Bisons dominated the first period, outshooting the Dogs 16-5.

The Huskies found their footing in the second period and levelled the score at 1-1 after Kira Bannatyne’s goal. Candace Kook and Jorgenson scored goals within 40 seconds of each other to give the home team a 3-1 advantage heading into the third.

The Bisons responded with two goals of their own in the third period to draw even and send the game into overtime.

Wooster gained possession of the puck at the Huskies blue line 18 seconds in and bolted down the ice. She fired a shot at Marion who blocked the initial shot but Wooster lobbed the rebound over her shoulder. The puck hit the bottom of the cross bar and fell into the net.

Hendricks was kept busy in net as she turned away 28 shots. The Bisons outshot the Huskies for the second time, 31-17.

The Huskies travel to Calgary to take on the University of Alberta Pandas on Friday Oct. 18 and Saturday Oct. 19.

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Photo: Jordan Dumba/Photo Editor