The Huskies had a busy January, with all basketball and hockey teams continuing their regular seasons. Meanwhile, the track and field and wrestling teams participated at the Golden Bear Open. 

Men’s basketball 

The Huskies men’s basketball team finished January with a 3-1 record, sweeping a home doubleheader against the Brandon Bobcats on Jan. 21 and 22 before splitting a two-game series against the Winnipeg Wesmen in Winnipeg on Jan. 28 and 29.

Third-year guard Marquavian Stephens was the top scorer in both outings against the Bobcats, but it was a team effort with at least four players scoring double-digit points in both games. 

Against the Wesmen, the Huskies dominated game one, winning 91-71 as third-year guard Alexander Dewar dropped a season-high 34 points. However, they fell 78-86 in the second game, with the Wesmen snapping their six-game winning streak. 

Continuing their road trip, the Huskies will battle another Manitoba squad as they play the Manitoba Bisons on Feb. 4 and 5. 

Women’s basketball 

The Huskies women’s basketball team was undefeated entering 2022, and continued that trend against the Brandon Bobcats in their first two games of the year on Jan. 21 and 22, winning by over 35 points each time. 

The following weekend was a matchup between two titans, as the undefeated Huskies took on the undefeated Winnipeg Wesmen in two games on Jan. 28 and 29. The Wesmen prevailed in the first matchup 72-64, handing the Huskies their first loss of the season. However, the Huskies bounced back quickly, winning the second matchup 69-53. 

Both the Huskies and Wesmen are tied for first place in the East division of Canada West with 11-1 records. The Huskies look to reclaim sole possession of first place on Feb. 4 and 5 when they take on the Manitoba Bisons. 

Women’s hockey 

The Huskies women’s hockey team lost their first game of 2022 on Jan. 14 to the Regina Cougars. But they have not looked back since, winning three straight games including a 6-0 blowout of the Cougars on Jan. 15. 

The real highlight of the month came when the Huskies took on the Alberta Pandas for two games at the Clare Drake Arena on Jan. 21 and 22. 

The first game took two overtimes to decide a winner, with third-year Huskies forward Jordyn Holmes sniping in a wrist shot to earn her team a gritty victory. 

Third-year goalkeeper Camryn Drever displayed her net-minding skills in game two, stopping 33 Panda shots en route to a 3-0 shutout victory. Her performance earned her Canada West Player of the Week honours and led to the Huskies making history, sweeping the Pandas for the first time in Alberta.

Currently sitting at fourth in the Canada West standings, the Huskies will host the MacEwan Griffins for a two-game homestand on Feb. 4 and 5. 

Men’s hockey 

It was a forgettable month for the Huskies men’s hockey team as they posted a 1-3 record, with their only win coming in a 11-3 rout of the Regina Cougars on Jan. 15. Injuries to key contributors played a factor in their two losses to the Alberta Golden Bears, with third-year defenceman Gordie Ballhorn and first-year forward Chantz Petruic currently out of play. 

The Huskies have fallen down to fifth in the Canada West standings and will look to climb back up when they play the eighth-place MacEwan Griffins twice in Edmonton on Feb. 4 and 5. 

Track and field 

Both the Huskies men’s and women’s track and field teams performed spectacularly at the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton from Jan. 21 to 23. 

The women’s team placed first with 149 points, with the 4 x 400 metre relay team setting the meet record. The men’s team also fared well, earning 99 points and second place in the event. 

Both teams are in good shape for the 2022 Canada West Track & Field Championships in Winnipeg from Feb. 25 to 26. 

Wrestling 

The Huskies wrestling team put on some fantastic individual performances at the Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton on Jan. 29. 

On the men’s side of the bracket, third-year Ayobami Peluola and second-year Carson Lee both placed first, in the 65-kilogram and 82-kilogram categories, respectively. The team finished with 52 points, edging out the University of Alberta by one point for first place. 

On the women’s side of the bracket, third-year SueAnne Harms placed second in the 53-kilogram women’s category. 

The Huskies will host the Canada West Championships at the University of Saskatchewan from Feb 11 to 12. 

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Due to COVID-19 concerns, the Huskies have banned in-person attendance for Huskies events until further notice. Games can be watched online on the Canada West website for the time being. 

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Uday Chhina | Sports and Health Editor

Photos: Nicholas Saretzky | Contributing PHotojournalist