For the first time since the 2019-20 season, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies are facing off against the UBC Thunderbirds in a Canada West playoff series, this time with a little more on the line. Saskatchewan entered the weekend as the number one team in Canada West and ranked number two nationally, while UBC came in ranked fourth in Canada West and ranked tenth nationally. UBC also entered the weekend as the defending champions from last season, coming off a thrilling three-game quarterfinals against MacEwan last weekend.
In the end, after a back and fourth game, UBC took game one of the Canada West Semifinals 5-4 in OT after Sasha Mutala picked off Roddy Ross’ clearing attempt to seal game one. Mutala had two goals and three points in the game, while Josh Williams, Scott Atkinson, and Carson Latimer had the other four goals in game for UBC. Justin Ball, Chantz Petruic, Landon Kosior, and Liam Keeler scored on the other side for Saskatchewan. Both sides have seven power play opportunities with UBC cashing in on two chances while also adding a short-handed goal to shut down the top power play in the conference. The Huskies did score on one opportunity, but both units struggled throughout the night.
Below is a full game summary courtesy of Canada West, plus postgame audio from Huskies head coach Brandin Cote…..
**********
UBC 5 (OT) at Saskatchewan 4 – Status: Final OT1
Friday, February 28, 2025 – Merlis Belsher Place
UBC 1 1 2 1 – 5
Saskatchewan 1 2 1 0 – 4
1st Period-1, UBC, Williams 2 (Mutala), 7:29 (PP). 2, Saskatchewan, Ball 1 (Regnier), 14:25. Penalties-Thorpe Ubc (high sticking), 1:34; Serraglio Ubc (roughing), 4:38; Holt Ssk (cross checking), 5:35; Loschiavo Ssk (interference), 15:53.
2nd Period-3, Saskatchewan, Petruic 1 (Kinniburgh), 9:30. 4, Saskatchewan, Kosior 1 (Jordan, Sorensen), 13:57. 5, UBC, Atkinson 1 (Douglas, Wismer), 15:16. Penalties-Kinniburgh Ssk (inter. on goaltender), 3:41; Wismer Ubc (holding opp. stick), 11:01; Holt Ssk (tripping), 12:08; Wismer Ubc (interference), 13:03.
3rd Period-6, UBC, Latimer 1 (McDonald, Atkinson), 3:56 (SH). 7, UBC, Mutala 2 (McDonald, Huo), 10:49 (PP). 8, Saskatchewan, Keeler 1 (Wong, Petruic), 13:43 (PP). Penalties-Williams Ubc (tripping), 2:44; Rhinehart Ssk (delay of game), 6:36; Holt Ssk (inter. on goaltender), 10:27; Huo Ubc (holding), 12:41; served by Wright Ubc (too many men), 18:35; Loschiavo Ssk (tripping), 18:39.
1st OT Period-9, UBC, Mutala 3 3:10. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-UBC 15-12-12-3-42. Saskatchewan 10-11-6-1-28.
Power Play Opportunities-UBC 2 / 7; Saskatchewan 1 / 7.
Goalies-UBC, Schwebius (28 shots-24 saves). Saskatchewan, Ross (42 shots-37 saves).
A-1,804
Referees-Levi Schutz, Adam Bloski.
Linesmen-Devan Thiessen, Riley Carriere.
**********
Postgame Media Scrum with Huskies Head Coach Brandin Cote:
NEXT GAME: Game 2 vs. UBC Thunderbirds (3-1) on Saturday, March 1st at 7 p.m.
