REGINA, SK - For a second straight night, an offensive outburst in the second period was the difference as the Huskies men's hockey team erased an early 2-0 deficit and continued their undefeated start to the season with a 3-2 win over the Regina Cougars in U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk action in Regina on Saturday night.
One night after scoring four times in the second en route to a 5-2 win at home, the Huskies once again hit their offensive stride in the middle frame, this time in enemy territory. Vince Loschiavo sparked the comeback and also assisted on Raphael Pelletier's winning tally, while Chantz Petruic notched the equalizer in between.
It was the Cougars who came out looking like the sharper of the two teams and they opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game as Paycen Bjorklund converted a Carson Sass feed for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. The Cougars doubled their lead less than three minutes later on a two-on-one rush with Jayden Davis setting up Jackson Doucet for his first of the year.
The Huskies outshot the Cougars 10-7 in the frame.
The second period began similarly as the first but then both teams started taking penalties and the ensuing chaos actually seemed to benefit the visitors. The teams combined for 28 penalty minutes in the frame and despite being unable to convert on several power play opportunities, the Dogs eventually broke through as Loschiavo grabbed a Ty Prefontaine pass and sped into the Cougars zone before ripping a low shot past Regina netminder Adam Evanoff.
Before Loschiavo's goal had even been announced, a turnover in the neutral zone gave Petruic and Colby Jacquet a two-on-one opportunity and the latter set up the former for his third goal of the year. The two goals came 25 seconds apart and all of a sudden it was a brand new hockey game.
The Dogs weren't done there. With less than three minutes left in the period, Loschiavo found Raphael Pelletier streaking down the middle of the ice and the rookie continued his hot start, burying his team-leading fourth goal of the season, and second in as many games. Pelletier has been centering the Huskies top line since Liam Keeler went down with injury in the season opener and Cote continues to be impressed with his performance.
The third period was a much more sedate affair, at least for the officials, who assessed just one minor penalty in the frame, but the Huskies had already done enough damage, keeping the Cougars from mounting a comeback of their own. Saskatchewan outshot Regina 36-24 on the night and Roddy Ross made 22 saves to earn his fourth win of the season.
NEXT UP
Saskatchewan is now 6-0 and still standing as one of two undefeated teams in the Canada West alongside the 8-0 UBC Thunderbirds. The Huskies will be back home next weekend as they look to extend their winning streak against the Trinity Western Spartans, with games scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are available at HuskieTickets.com. Fans can tune in to the stream on CanadaWest.TV or listen live at HuskieFan.ca.
