SASKATOON, Sask. - For the first time since 2019-20, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Huskies are set to host the Canada West Final on home ice in a best-of-three championship series against the Mount Royal Cougars, who will be making their first conference final appearance in program history.
 

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HUSKIE MEN'S HOCKEY

Canada West Playoffs | Final Series
Saskatchewan Huskies vs Mount Royal Cougars
Game 1 - Friday, March 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Game 2 - Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 7:00 PM
Game 3 - Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 6:00 PM *if necessary*

TICKETS | CANADAWEST.TV | HUSKIEFAN.CA | LIVESTATS | CW PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
 

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The Huskies and Cougars were separated by just two points this season, and both claimed the top spot in their respective divisions. Saskatchewan finished first in the East with a record of 23-5-0, while MRU claimed best in the west with a record of 22-6-0. 

Game one of the Championship series on Friday (Mar. 7) will mark the third meeting between the two teams this season. The Canada West finalists had previously met for a weekend series in Saskatoon just three weeks into the season. That series saw the Cougars shutout the Huskies 4-0 in Friday's game, thanks in part to 11 USask trips to the penalty box. The following night, the Dogs jumped out to an early lead before capturing a 4-3 victory to secure a weekend split. 

The shutout loss to Mount Royal would be a catalyst for the Huskies' season, as Saskatchewan would win 16 of their next 17 on their way to the top spot in the conference. 

The conference final boasts plenty of firepower on both sides, with the Huskies and Cougars making up four of the top five scorers in Canada West. Leading the group is the 2024-25 Canada West Player & Defenceman of the Year from the Cougars Clay Hanus, who totaled 43 points (12 goals, 31 assists) this season on the way to the scoring title. Just six points back, however, was First Team All-Star Chantz Petruic, the Huskies' leading goal scorer with 20 goals and 37 points. Petruic is also the leading point-getter remaining in the postseason, with the former Moose Jaw Warrior totaling seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in the Huskies' semifinal series win. 

The talent continues to both creases, which feature the last two Canada West Goaltenders of the Year in Shane Farkas and Roddy Ross. Last year's top netminder, Shane Farkas, started all three games of the Cougars semifinal series against Alberta, allowing just two goals in each of MRU's wins. For the Huskies, the 2024-25 Goaltender of the Year Roddy Ross, experienced a sensational season, leading the conference in both goals against average (1.99) and save percentage (.928) while earning a record of 10-4-0. Saskatchewan also has the luxury of two top goalies, as Jordan Kooy earned back-to-back wins to advance the Dogs through to the Finals. Kooy allowed just two goals in each win against UBC, earning a playoff save percentage of .939.

This Friday will also be the 11th playoff meeting between the two programs. The Huskies hold a significant edge over the Cougars with a record of 7-3 and have ended Mount Royal's season in each of the previous three playoff meetings. The Cougars' only series win came in the first-ever postseason meeting in 2014-15. 

The puck drops on the Canada West Final on Friday at 7:00 PM CST, with game two set for the same time on Saturday. If needed, game three is scheduled for Sunday, March 9, at 6:00 PM CST.
 

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Head-to-Head vs MRU
All-Time: 56-28 Huskies
Last 10 Meetings: 4-6 Cougars
Playoff Record: 7-3 Huskies
Last Playoff Meeting: Def. MRU 2-1 in 2023 CW Quarter-final
2024-25 Record: 1-1-0 (Oct. 2024)
        Game 1: L 0-4 - BOX SCORE
        Game 2: W 4-3 - BOX SCORE
 

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