For most of the Huskie teams, there’s only one more game until the playoffs begin. It has been a season full of wins and losses, but nevertheless, the players have persevered. And with last weekend’s series, the dogs had fans gritting their teeth before cheering for their wins.

Women’s basketball

To say it was just a win is an understatement because the women’s basketball team dom­inated in this weekend series. It was a landslide win for the Huskies on Jan. 31, scoring 101 points against the Uni­versity of British Columbia Okanagan Heat, who scored 39 points. The next day was a similar outcome with the Hus­kies winning again, 85-41.

Fourth-year Summer Ma­sikewich led the team in the first game with 22 points while fifth-year Megan Ahlstrom led the second game, scoring 16 points.

Making 48.8 per cent of the shots in the first game and 48.3 per cent in the second, Sabine Dukate, Vera Crooks, Libby Epoch and Kyla Shand were part of the team’s efficient scoring. The dogs continued their impenetrable defense last weekend, with UBC only mak­ing 21 to 23 per cent of their shots in both games.

Overall, Saskatchewan maintains its number one position in the Canada West standings with 17 wins and one loss, with Calgary behind in second at 16-2.

The women’s team will be at an Alberta court on Feb. 7 and 8 to go against the Pandas, who are sitting at third in the Canada West standings.

Men’s basketball

The Huskies men’s basket­ball team swept the series last weekend, too. It was a close match for Saskatchewan against the UBCO Heat on Jan. 31, winning the round only eight points ahead. But the dogs packed a stronger punch on Feb. 1, putting out the Heat with 83-58.

Seventh in Canada West standings, the Huskies are right behind the University of Fraser Valley Cascades; both teams carry a season record of 12-6.

They have one more week­end to go before playoffs. Trav­eling to Edmonton, they will face the University of Alberta Golden Bears who are domi­nating the conference with a season record of 17-1.

Women’s hockey

The women’s hockey team entered the weekend with a six-game winning streak. They breezed through the first game with a 3-0 win at home, earning their seventh win in a row. But the strong run unfor­tunately ended in the second game of the weekend.

Netminder Camryn Drever earned her third shutout of the season, blocking 22 shots. Forwards Kara Kondrat and Jordyn Holmes recorded their first ever U Sports goal over the weekend.

Then the streak was halted in a dramatic game. The Hus­kies brought a comfortable 3-0 lead into the third period, but the Bisons scored four an­swered goals to steal the win from the Huskies.

The Huskies have secured a spot in the playoffs and are currently placed third in Can­ada West standings, trailing the University of Calgary Di­nos by one point. They will be traveling to the queen city to play provincial rival Universi­ty of Regina Cougars on Feb. 7, and will be coming home on Feb. 8 to host the Cougars.

Men’s hockey

The men’s hockey team travelled to Winnipeg to play the University of Manitoba Bisons. They successfully ex­tended their winning streak to nine.

The first game was a stale­mate as the two teams were tied until forward Logan McVeigh scored the double overtime winner, bringing the Huskies a 3-2 victory. With 13 game-winning goals, McVeigh is currently fifth in Canada West record books for the most game-winning goals.

Even though the Huskies conceded two early goals at the early stage of game two, they were able to come back and scored four goals, taking a 4-3 victory home.

The Huskies will be hosting the U of R Cougars on Feb. 7, then they will be travelling south to play their provincial rival in the last regular season game on Feb. 8. While the dogs have a nine-win streak, the Cougars are going into the weekend with only eight wins the entire season.

The Huskies are look­ing competitive this sea­son at second in Canada West standings, although last year at this time, they held 22 wins rather than 20. This is the last weekend be­fore Canada West quarter-finals.

Women’s volleyball

Despite dropping both games in Calgary against the Mount Royal University Cou­gars, the Huskies clinched a playoff spot — the first time for the program since 2002.

Regardless, outside hitters Olivia Mattern and Emily Koshinsky displayed strong performances. Along with two aces and two blocks, Mat­tern recorded 28 kills over the weekend. Koshinsky led the team during the weekend with 30 kills.

Sixth-place Huskies will face off with fifth-place Uni­versity of Alberta Pandas this weekend at home.

Men’s volleyball

The men’s volleyball team split the weekend series with the Mount Royal Cougars, winning the first one by 3-1 while dropping the second one with 2-3.

Middle Daulton Sinoski led the team in the first game with 13 kills, followed by out­side hitter Cole Burkart’s 10 kills. The second game was just as exciting with Burkart taking the lead this time and Sinoski just behind him.

The Huskies are going against the Alberta Golden Bears on Feb. 7 and 8 at the Physical Activity Complex.

Track and field

The Huskies women’s track and field team is currently ranked third in the country with 59.5 points, while the men are sixth with 42 points.

Both teams will be compet­ing in the Panda Challenge in Edmonton this weekend. This is the last event before the Canada West Championship.

Wrestling

This weekend, the men’s and women’s team head to the Can­ada West Championship in Calgary. The women’s team will defend their Canada West title while the men, who finished sec­ond last year, will try to claim it.

The women’s team is ranked second in the nation with 44 points, while the men are ranked third with 51 points.

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J.C. Balicanta Narag/ Copy Editor, Heywood Yu

Photo: Heywood Yu