Both the men’s and women’s Huskies hockey teams played their last two regular-season games on Feb. 11 and 12 against the Manitoba Bisons, finishing off successful regular seasons by clinching playoff spots in Canada West. 

Men’s hockey

The Huskies men’s hockey team split the weekend doubleheader at home against the Bisons, losing their first game 2-3 before bouncing back with a commanding 6-2 victory in the second game. 

In the first game, the Bisons jumped out to a three-goal lead in the second period. The Huskies made a comeback in the third period with first-year forward Jaxan Kaluski and second-year forward Jared Dmytriw each scoring a goal — but their efforts were not enough to secure victory against the Bisons. 

The Huskies reclaimed their momentum by beating the Bisons 6-2 in the second game, earning fourth place in Canada West. 

The Bisons scored twice early in the game and looked to repeat their performance from Friday, but it was all Huskies from that point forward. Halfway through the first period, Dmytriw quickly shifted the puck from his forehand to his backhand and slid it past the Bisons’ goalie for his second goal of the weekend. The Huskies unleashed a flurry of goals, scoring two more in the second period and three more in the third period for a total of six goals. 

The Huskies’ win ensured them a fourth-place finish, and with that, a home playoff series. They will be in action next against the Calgary Dinos in a best-of-three playoff series spanning from Feb. 25–27 for the Canada West quarter-finals. 

Women’s hockey

The Huskies women’s hockey team’s five-game winning streak was snapped by the Bisons in Winnipeg on Feb. 11 and 12 as the Bisons handed the Huskies two straight losses.  

In their first game, the Huskies were shutout 3-0 against the Bisons at Wayne Fleming Arena.  

Despite generating many offensive opportunities, the Huskies were unable to best the stout Bisons’ defence in the first period. The Bisons capitalized on their defence in the second period, scoring 10 minutes in to make the game 1-0 in their favour.  

The Huskies were stopped dead in their pursuit of the game-tying goal as Bisons goalie Erin Fargey successfully defended her crease, and two goals in quick succession by the Bisons ended the game 0-3 for the Huskies.  

The second contest was much closer. The Bisons, confident after their 3-0 win, struck once in both the first and second periods. Facing a two-goal deficit in the third period, the Huskies responded with third-year forward Sophie Lalor sending a wrist shot past Fargey to make the score 1-2. However, their comeback effort fell short, ending in a 1-2 loss for the Huskies.   

With two losses, the Huskies sit at fifth place in Canada West with an 11-9 win-loss record and 24 points. The Alberta Pandas also have 24 points, but still need to play their last two games of the season, which will decide the Huskies’ fate in the standings. A fourth-place Huskies finish would earn them a home playoff series, while a fifth-place finish means they will be on the road for the best-of-three Canada West playoff series. 

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Annie Liu | Staff Writer

Photos: Nicholas Saretzky | Contributing Photojournalist