A loud crowd of 1,600 fans experienced the third ranked team in Canada West, according to the coaches in the pre-season, explode for seven goals on the night, four of them in the first period. The University of Saskatchewan Huskies entered the 2024-2025 Canada West season with a lot of hype and expectations. Although it’s only the first game, the Huskies have started on the right foot.. Six different players found the back of the net and 11 chipping in on the scoresheet.
Ben Tkachuk opened the scoring at the 2:42 mark of the first period, followed by Cade Hayes and Raphael Pelletier all scoring before the 10 minute mark of the first. Chantz Petruic would score the fourth goal of the period while at the other end goaltender Roddy Ross turned aside all 12 shots he faced. Dawson Holt scored on a power play early in the second while Steven Kesslering finally got Regina on the board setup by Noah Wills late in the second cutting the deficit to only four entering the final frame. Carter Stebbings all but sealed it with just over five minutes to go before Petruic scored his second of the game, this time on the power play on the final minute securing a 7-1 victory for the Dogs in their home opener.
Former Saskatoon Blades forward and captain Trevor Wong was noticeable in the victory, adding an assist in his Huskies debut while Dawson Holt led the way with four points (1G, 3A) on the night, while Parker Gavlas had two assists leading the way for the defense. The Huskies will look to replicate their performance again tomorrow night, this time in Regina for the backend of a home-and-home U-Prairie Challenge season opener.
Below is Post-Game audio from Head Coach Brandin Cote, plus the official game summary courtesy of Canada West…..
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Head Coach Brandin Cote:
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Regina 1 at Saskatchewan 7 – Status: Final
Friday, October 4, 2024 – Merlis Belsher Place
Regina 0 1 0 – 1
Saskatchewan 4 1 2 – 7
1st Period-1, Saskatchewan, Tkachuk 1 (Hayes), 2:42. 2, Saskatchewan, Hayes 1 (Sorensen, Gavlas), 6:10. 3, Saskatchewan, Pelletier 1 (Holt, Stebbings), 9:48. 4, Saskatchewan, Petruic 1 (Wong, Gavlas), 12:14. Penalties-Bjorklund Reg (high sticking), 15:57; Rhinehart Ssk (cross checking), 18:23.
2nd Period-5, Saskatchewan, Holt 1 (Stebbings, Pillar), 3:30 (PP). 6, Regina, Kesslering 1 (Wills), 15:27. Penalties-Heward Reg (slashing), 2:48; Hayes Ssk (interference), 8:47; Petruic Ssk (checking from behind), 12:46; Regnier Ssk (roughing), 16:16; Gavlas Ssk (kneeing), 19:00; Kesslering Reg (roughing), 20:00; McMillen Reg (roughing), 20:00; Kosior Ssk (roughing), 20:00; Tkachuk Ssk (roughing), 20:00.
3rd Period-7, Saskatchewan, Stebbings 1 (Holt, Ross), 15:35. 8, Saskatchewan, Petruic 2 (Kosior, Holt), 19:11 (PP). Penalties-Wong Ssk (interference), 13:35; Third Reg (slashing), 19:05.
Shots on Goal-Regina 12-4-9-25. Saskatchewan 12-8-13-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 0 / 6; Saskatchewan 2 / 3.
Goalies-Regina, Fellner 0-1-0-0 (33 shots-26 saves). Saskatchewan, Ross 1-0-0-0 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-1,600
Referees-Troy Murray, Ty Skene .
Linesmen-Brayden Glynn, Mark Kawchuk.
NEXT GAME: @ Regina Cougars (0-1-0) on Saturday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m.
