The University of Saskatchewan Huskies hockey teams have delivered exciting playoff action. The men’s team fell in a nail-biting series at home while the women’s team made quick work of higher-seeded opponents in two consecutive series. 

Women’s hockey 

Fresh off a two-game sweep of the Manitoba Bisons on Feb. 26 in the Canada West quarterfinal series, the Huskies women’s hockey team achieved the unexpected by sweeping the Mount Royal Cougars in two games in Calgary on March 5. 

The Cougars were ranked second in the nation by U Sports heading into the matchup, and were the first seed in Canada West action with a 16-4 win loss record. They won both of their regular season games against the Huskies 1-0 on Dec. 3–4. The Huskies flipped the script in the Canada West Semifinal, edging out the Cougars 1-0 in game 1 and triumphing 2-1 in overtime in game 2. 

Third-year forward Kara Kondrat capitalized on a rebound early in the first period in game one, scoring the lone goal and eventual game-winner for the game. Third-year goalie Camryn Drever defended her crease perfectly as she recorded the shutout. 

Drever continued her heroics in game two, recording a whooping 53 saves in an overtime thriller. First-year defender Larissa Bohlken’s goal in the second period gave the Huskies an early lead before the Cougars tied it up at one goal each. In overtime, it was third-year forward Kennedy Brown who delivered the game winner, pouncing on a loose puck and sending the Huskies to the Canada West Finals. 

The Huskies will continue their amazing playoff run next in Vancouver, when they visit the UBC Thunderbirds for a best-of-three series from March 11–13 to decide the Canada West Championship. 

Men’s hockey

The Huskies men’s hockey team finished the season with a 13-7 record, good for the fourth seed and a home playoff series where they hosted the Calgary Dinos from Feb. 25–27. During their two head-to-head matchups on Nov. 19 and 20 in the regular season, the teams split the season series. The Huskies prevailed 2-1 in double overtime in the first game before losing the second game 2-1. All signs pointed to a nail-biting playoff series, and both teams delivered. 

The Dinos won game one of the Canada West playoff quarterfinals 3-2, scoring two goals in 25 seconds near the end of the second period to secure the win. However, the Huskies staved off elimination the following night, thanks to first-year goalie Roddy Ross’ 20-save shutout and goals from forwards Alec Zawatsky, Vince Loschiavo, Justin Ball and Donovan Neuls. A pivotal 4-0 victory in game two set up a winner-takes-all game three at Merlis Belsher Place on Feb. 27. 

The Huskies faithful were out in full force, with 2149 fans in attendance for game three. Despite falling behind 2-0 after two powerplay goals from the Dinos, the Huskies were able to equalize the game, with Loschiavo scoring two straight goals in the second period. First-year Huskies defenceman Gunner Kinniburgh fired a wrist shot past the Dinos goalkeeper to help the Huskies take a 3-2 lead, but the Dinos answered back with two straight goals themselves, ending the Huskies season with a 4-3 loss. 

Although the Huskies were unsuccessful in defending their 2019-20 Canada West title, the team is in good hands. With two Canada West All-Stars in second-year forward Jared Dmityriw and third-year defenceman Connor Hobbs, and a dynamic all-rookie team forward in Zane Franklin, the squad is primed to be vouching for a top spot in Canada West next season. 

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Uday Chhina | Sports and Health Editor

Photos: Nicholas Saretzky | Contributing Photojournalist