SASKATOON, SK – The Saskatchewan Huskies were back on home ice Saturday evening at Merlis Belsher Place to host the Regina Cougars for game two of the weekend series, after winning game one of the U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk on Friday evening in Regina.
 
Saskatchewan went with Colby Wilson in net, and Regina started Arden Kliewer, who would earn herself a shut-out on the night and the game's first star award with her 34 saves.
 
Regina opened scoring late in the first after Shaylee Scraba put one off Wilson's right pad, giving off a rebound right to Kaitlyn Gilroy to put away. The Cougars would keep the 1-0 lead heading into the second period. 
 
Both teams fought hard in the second, playing aggressive hockey, but neither were able to find the back of the net. The game headed into the third with Regina still up by one.
 
After a hard-fought first half of period three, Lauren Focht made it a 2-0 game for the Cougars with an unassisted, shorthanded goal after a quick turnover at the Huskies blue line. 
 
With two minutes left to play, Saskatchewan pulled Wilson from the net, hoping the efforts of an extra attacker would give them the advantage. They were unable to capitalize in the final minutes and Regina would head back to the Queen City with the 2-0 win.
 
The penalty minutes added up, reflecting the physical game played between the two teams. The Huskies had six infractions (12 PIM), and the Cougars had eight (16 PIM), totalling up to 28 penalty minutes served in the game.
 
Saskatchewan outshot Regina 34-22 but couldn't get anything past Kliewer, despite their consistent pressure on the net.
 
The teams split their U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk series, with each team adding a point to the UPC tally. The Saskatchewan Huskies currently lead the Regina Cougars & Rams in the point total, 9-1.
 
NEXT UP
The Huskies are headed west next weekend to Langley, BC, to challenge the Trinity Western Spartans. The two teams will meet on Friday at 8:15 PM CST and again on Saturday at 8:00 PM CST. 
 
Fans can catch the games on the road live on CanadaWest.TV or listen in on HuskieFan.ca.