Hockey Dogs inch closer to rival Golden Bears

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That vaunted power play didn’t get much of a chance to show its stuff Friday night.

But, when it counted the most, it certainly made a difference.

Chantz Petruic netted the game-winner, on the power play with 5:28 remaining, to give the University of Saskatchewan Huskies a 4-3 victory over the arch-rival University of Alberta Golden Bears in Canada West men’s hockey at Merlis Belsher Place.

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“It’s huge,” Petruic said of the win. “We’ve kind of been chasing them all season. Obviously we have a couple of games in hand on them but these games are huge. I thought we didn’t play that well at the start of the season against them and we owed them. Fortunately tonight, we jumped on our chances and capitalized.”

It was the Huskies’ second power play of the game and it didn’t come until the last 10 minutes of regulation.

“It’s been good all year and when you have the skill that we do, and we worked on it a ton and we’re clicking, we’ve got confidence and the people to bury,” said Cote. “The first one is a little bit out of sorts but once we settled in and sort of figured out what they’re doing — I thought we probably deserved a few other ones (power plays) but we capitalized when we needed to.”

Saskatchewan improved its record to 17-4-0, while Alberta fell to 18-5-0.

“It’s huge – it’s huge. For us to not give up the extra point (in overtime) is big,” said Cote. “I thought we weren’t necessarily as sharp with the puck — I thought the same for them as well. I thought both teams haven’t really played a high-level game in a while — probably since we played each other in November — so the space and the speed and everything, I just think we need to get caught up and, as the game went on, the execution on both sides got better and it was a real good game.”

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The teams meet again Saturday afternoon at Merlis Belsher Place. Game-time is 5 p.m.

“You play tight games, against Alberta especially, and you have to rely on the power play to win you games,” said Petruic. “Obviously, it’s tight-checking all night. I didn’t think our first power play went well. We bared down in the end and capitalized when we had to.”

Josh Pillar, on a partial breakaway, and Dawson Holt, on a nice feed from defenceman Landon Kosior, had the other goals for the Huskies, who never trailed Friday and outshot the Bears 29-27.

Sean Tschigerl, with a pair, and Josh Prokop replied for Alberta. One of Tschigerl’s goals came on a delayed penalty call. Otherwise, the Bears went 0-for-2 with the man-advantage.

Saskatchewan was good one of three opportunities, the last one coming with 52 seconds remaining after Alberta pulled goalie Sean Palmer for an extra attacker.

Jordan Kooy made 23 saves in the U of S net for the win. Palmer stopped 25 of 29 shots.

DOG TALES: Announced attendance was 2,012 … Huskie forward Liam Keeler captured a gold medal with Team Canada at the FISU World Universiade Winter Games. Canada defeated Slovakia 3-1 in the championship final … A parking advisory has been issued for the Huskie hockey games this weekend at Merlis Belsher Place with the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games happening next door at the Field House. Hockey Patrons are asked to come early with free parking at MBP parking lot, Lot 15 and the Stadium Parkade. Patrons are asked not to park at the Field House. Doors are open 4 p.m. Saturday … Seven U of S teams are currently in the U Sport Top 10 rankings: women’s track and field (3), women’s basketball (5), women’s wrestling (5), men’s wrestling (6), men’s hockey (7), men’s track and field (7) and men’s volleyball (8).

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