The men’s hockey team will have a month to mull over their loss to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the quarter-final round of the Canada West championship.

The next time the Huskies take to the ice will be when they host the University Cup on March 20-23. As hosts, the Huskies are guaranteed a berth into the national championship.

The number three Huskies and number six Thunderbirds faced off at the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon from Feb. 21-23 in a three game series. The Thunderbirds advanced 2-1 and will play the University of Alberta Golden Bears for a spot in the final.

The Huskies had won three out of the four games the two teams had played against each other this season, but it was the Thunderbirds who came to the ice with a purpose, taking the opening game 5-0.

After a scoreless first period the Thunderbirds were on the board at the end of the second period when Geordie Wudrick scored at 19:11. The Thunderbirds’ offence began to roll in the third period with Wudrick scoring again less than a minute in. The Thunderbirds scored three more times in the period to cap off the 5-0 win.

The series was level at one apiece after the Dogs came back to win the next game 5-2, sending the series into a deciding third match.

The Huskies earned an early 2-0 lead with goals from Kendall McFaull and Craig McCallum. Each team scored twice in the second period, maintaining the Dogs’ two goal lead. Huskie Chad Suer tallied the final goal of the night to seal the 5-2 win.

With a 6-4 triumph on Sunday, the Thunderbirds booked their ticket into the semi-final.

The Huskies led 3-2 after the first period but the Thunderbirds took over the lead with two unanswered goals. The Thunderbirds extended their lead to 5-3 in the third but the Huskies pulled within one after a goal from Jesse Ross. The Huskies wouldn’t come any closer and an insurance goal at 10:31 for the Thunderbirds cemented the victory.

The University Cup begins March 20 at the Credit Union Centre.