SASKATOON, SK – The 2023-24 U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk hockey edition got underway at Merlis Belsher Place on Friday night, as the Saskatchewan Huskies welcomed the Regina Cougars for the first time this season. A four goal second period would see the Huskies defend home ice with a 5-2 win. 
 
The Huskies have had a strong start to their season with a 4-0 record, while the Cougars have stumbled a bit with a 2-4 record. 
 
Regina opened scoring in the first period, when third year Carson Sass ripped one past Saskatchewan's Roddy Ross to give the Cougars the 1-0 lead. Ty Barnstable had another opportunity for the Cougars with under five minutes left in the period but his slapshot was stopped by Ross's glove. Regina would head into the first break leading 1-0. 
 
The Huskies were red hot in the second period, firing on all cylinders and scoring four goals. First up was Josh Pillar with a beautiful reverse pass in front of the net to Chantz Petruic, who fired it in for the goal. 
 
Five minutes later, Raphael Pelletier snuck one past Regina's Adam Evanoff to give the Huskies the 2-1 lead. The Cougars would answer with the equalizer from Jakob Brook less than two minutes after to tie things up 2-2. 
 
First year Ben Tkachuk would grab his first goal as a Huskie with help from Jeffery Faith and Rhett Rhinehart midway through the period with a wicked fast shot past Evanoff. Forward Carter Stebbings would get the first powerplay goal of the game three minutes later, giving the Huskies the 4-2 lead heading into the third period. 
 
The third period was a defensive battle as both teams struggled to make anything happen offensively. Saskatchewan's Keaton Sorenson would score the final goal of the game with five minutes remaining, and the Huskies maintained the undefeated start to their season. 
 
Adam Evanoff saved 29 of 34 shots on goal for the Cougars, with Roddy Ross in net for the Huskies with 16 saves. Saskatchewan out shot Regina 34-18 in the win. 
 
NEXT UP
The Huskies (5-0) will head down Highway 11 tomorrow morning for game two of the weekend series against the Regina Cougars (2-5) at 7:00 PM. Game can be streamed on CanadaWest.TV or listened to live on HuskieFan.ca. 

The U Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk is a celebration of varsity sport in Saskatchewan. The annual points-based competition between the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan involves 11 different men's and women's events, including soccer, football, hockey, volleyball, basketball, track and field, and cross country.