CALGARY – Desperation was in the air on the Saskatchewan Huskies side, and they played as such, scoring on their first shot of the game and holding on for the 3-2 victory over the host Calgary Dinos in game two of the Canada West semi-finals.
BOX SCORE
The best-of-three series is now tied at one, setting the table for an entertaining game three on Sunday. The winner will move on to the Canada West Finals and then the University Cup on March 24th. The loser will go home with nothing, adding a touch more of intensity to an already pressure-packed situation.
Kyle Ross put his Saskatchewan troops on the board first on Saturday, converting on a short pass right in front of Dustin Butler on an early power play with Colton Grant in the penalty box. Ross was a man possessed in the first period, firing four quality shots on Butler, who ended up with 10 saves in the period.
Butler would pay for a rare miscue in the second period while trying to handle the puck outside of the crease. In an attempt to clear it out in front, Butler couldn't connect with a teammate, putting the puck right on Curtis Kuchar's stick. Kuchar took a moment to get better position and still managed to put it through the five-hole of Butler, who had just regained position in the crease, to make it 2-0 Saskatchewan.
Ross added an assist on the goal, giving the fourth year law student five points in the two playoff games. Undoubtedly the best Huskie performer over the two games, Ross finished with six shots in the game as well.
Calgary looked sluggish throughout the majority of the first 40 minutes, with only a late push in the second period proving signs of life. Saskatchewan nearly had another goal early in the second frame, when Brett Ward ringed it off the cross-bar only for the puck to sit momentarily idle behind Butler in his crease before being steered away.
The Dinos would keep the effort up in the third period, controlling the puck for the majority of the stanza. Their determination would pay off on the power play when rookie defenceman Kodie Curran threaded a bullet through traffic past David Reekie to bring the crowd back to life and the Dinos within one with 15 minutes remaining.
After an extended period of back-and-forth hockey, Brock Nixon would get two glorious chances with three minutes to go, just missing on a one-timer before being stopped again, this time by Reekie after tracking down his own miss.
Butler would abandon ship late in the game for an extra attacker, but before he could settle, the Huskies quickly forced a turnover and laced a long shot into the heart of the net for the 3-1 advantage.
Jerrid Sauer would bang home a goal with nine seconds left to bring the game within one, but it was too little too late.
Head Coach Mark Howell acknowledged a sluggish start, and set the stage for tomorrow's huge match.
“They played very desperate right away and they put us on their heels,” said Howell. “In the second and third we controlled the puck a bit better, but we couldn't convert. It was a different hockey game than last night, and Saskatchewan played better.
“There are now going to be two incredibly desperate hockey teams playing tomorrow night,” the coach explained. “It is going to come down to who is hungrier, and who can execute better.”
Butler made 20 saves in the loss, while David Reekie countered with 21 in the victory, avenging a tough third period on Friday.
The stakes can't be any higher for the Dinos and Huskies, and Sunday's match will definitely carry an urgent feeling. Puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. MT at Father David Bauer Arena.
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