CALGARY – Already the third leading scorer in the conference coming into Friday's match, fourth year Captain Reid Jorgensen continued his impressive start to the season, scoring three unanswered goals as the No. 9 University of Calgary Dinos defeated the No. 7 Saskatchewan Huskies by a score of 4-1.
BOX SCORE
Jorgensen scored all three of his goals in succession, potting the first in the opening frame and the other two in the third period. With an extra Huskie on to try and combat the two goal deficit late in the match, Jorgensen's third came from a sharp angle on the empty net to seal the deal for the Dinos. The Vancouver native now has 13 points in nine games for Calgary.
Goaltender Kris Lazaruk was excellent all night long for Calgary, stopping 24 shots in the victory with numerous momentum killing saves as the Huskies pressed in the second and third periods.
Saskatchewan, who was 29 for 34 on the penalty kill coming into the match, was punished right away with Brett Ward in the box for interference. A result of smart puck-movement in the Huskies zone, second-year defenceman Cory Pritz found the inside of the far post only 13 seconds into the power-play at 17:08, giving the home-side the early advantage.
Steven Gillen would answer right back for the Huskies, slapping home a beautiful cross-crease pass from Brennan Bosch to tie the game up at one. Shortly thereafter, Jorgensen would capitalize on a rebound from a hard Ryan Gillen shot, pushing it into the Huskies' wide open net just six minutes into the match.
The three goals came within the game's first five shots in a frantic start to the affair. Both teams would settle down significantly after that to close the opening frame, where the shots went 8-7 in Calgary's favour with nary a worthwhile opportunity.
Jorgensen would get his second goal of the evening on the power play in the third period, one-timing a Torrie Wheat feed amidst traffic that went high on goaltender David Reekie.
Gillen was by far the best Huskie on the ice for Saskatchewan, complimenting the lone goal with five other shots in a determined effort. Goaltender David Reekie made 24 saves in the loss, giving up three of Calgary's four goals. Craig MacCallum had four shots in a supporting role for Saskatchewan.
Brock Nixon was active once again with seven shots despite being held scoreless on the evening; however the third year forward did manage an assist on Jorgensen's first goal. Nixon did seem very pleased with the effort of his team.
“Our penalty-kill and defensive effort was great tonight, and that's something all the guys are really starting to take seriously,” said the Russell, MB native. “Everyone seems to be buying in to the system, and the team-game has been really good the past couple of games.”
When asked about the recent success of the forward line of Jorgensen, Wheat and himself, who have combined for 29 of the teams' total points, Nixon credits the chemistry amongst the trio.
“We've had the chance the past couple of weeks to work together out there, and I think we've fed off of each other,” continued Nixon. “As a line, we take pride in our ability to produce and help the team, and we've had some really good chances so far.”
The Dinos and Huskies will do battle again tomorrow night to finish the weekend series, with puck-drop set for 7 p.m.
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