CALGARY – A dominant second period was all the Saskatchewan Huskies needed on Saturday night, beating the University of Calgary Dinos by a score of 2-1, rewarding their head coach Dave Adolph with his 300th career win in the process.
The Dinos did their best in trying to avoid the historic evening on their home ice after a 4-1 Friday victory, but a pair goals from Steven DaSilva and Brennan Bosch sealed the deal for the 18 year veteran coach.
Already the Canada West leader in games coached with 596 matches under his belt as leader of the Huskies and the Lethbridge Pronghorns, Adolph's 300 victories remains second to only the legendary Clare Drake, former coach of the Alberta Golden Bears, who was 377-145-3 in his career.
Both teams got their chances in the first period on Saturday night, but were each stymied by excellent defensive play. The Huskies foiled numerous Dinos' chances around the net with frisky defensive play, while Dinos goaltender Dustin Butler made a terrific sprawling save on Andrew Bailey, who couldn't convert the two on one opportunity for Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan had complete control of the second period, outshooting the Dinos 16-7. Third year forward DaSilva opened the scoring for his Huskies, finding himself wide open with the loose puck on the right side of Butler, which he buried for his third marker of the year.
Brock Nixon would do his best to bring his squad back into it, converting a beautiful deke around Huskies netminder David Reekie off the nice pass from Blake Clement. Nixon would finish as the Dinos leading shooter, putting seven shots on goal.
Before the goal could even be announced in its entirety however, the Huskies answered right back, catching the Dinos on their heels in their own zone. Brennan Bosch slapped home the nice cross-ice feed from Andrew Bailey to regain the one-goal advantage for Saskatchewan.
The Huskies could have easily made it 3-1 in the second period, but were foiled again by a great Butler save. With Reid Jorgensen in the box for a high-sticking penalty, the Huskies had the Dinos' penalty kill unit absolutely spent, having been on the ice for nearly the entire penalty. But Butler would bail his side out, coming across his crease to make the terrific stop on a frustrated Chris Durand.
One of the only highlights of the third period was a devastating open ice hit by Dinos blueliner Mark Stojan, who caught Huskies defenceman Brett Ward looking elsewhere as he levelled him to the ice. Nixon would have the only real scoring chance for Calgary in the third period, where he found himself with a wide open shot with the extra attacker on the ice in the waning moments. A Huskies' stick would save the day however, sending the rocket shot up and into the netting to preserve the Saskatchewan victory.
Saskatchewan was lead by Craig MacCallum, who had another solid night at Bauer, and forward Andrew Bailey. Both would register an assist as well as 11 shots between them.
Calgary goaltender #Dustin Butler was exceptional despite picking up the loss, making 34 saves on the evening. His counterpart, David Reekie, made 23 saves in the victory.
Calgary (5-4-1) will continue their season on the road next weekend, where they will be entertained by the Manitoba Bisons for a two game set, while Saskatchewan (4-4) will return to their familiar confines of Rutherford Rink, where UBC will come to town.
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