CALGARY – Playing their first game in 13 days, the sixth-ranked University of Calgary Dinos shutout the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 2-0 on Friday night at the Father David Bauer Arena.

Kris Lazaruk, who came into the year with just one shutout in his colligate career, continued his early season brilliance. The Dinos netminder turned away 29 shots to record his second-consecutive goose egg – extending his shutout streak to 166:14.

"He was lights out, without him in the first and second period we would have been in trouble," said Dinos head coach Mark Howell. "Saskatchewan plays a really fast north game and puts a lot of pressure on you. We sat back until we got that second goal. After that we relaxed and started to play the game right."

The Dinos are now 7-2-0 on the season, while the Huskies fall to 4-5-0. Calgary has now won five-straight games, while Saskatchewan is losers of their last five.

"It is nice to get frequent shots, it keeps me in the game mentally," noted Lazaruk. "They were a hard working team and did all the things they needed to do to win."

After neither team found the back of the net in the first period, the Dinos struck early in the middle frame. Dylan Walchuk dished the puck from the left side out front to Spencer Edwards. The former Moose Jaw Warriors' shot was blocked by a defender, but Elgin Pearce hopped on the loose puck and buried it past goaltender Ryan Holfeld. The tally was Pearce's team-leading fifth of the season.

Despite taking a 1-0 lead out of the second period, the Dinos were holding on against a pressing Huskies team. Saskatchewan doubled Calgary in shots 12-6 in the period but were held off the scoresheet by some impressive netminding by Lazaruk.

"Our first goal was a lucky bounce, but after the second period we played a simple and good defensive game," explained Lazaruk.

Calgary netted an insurance marker mid-way through the third period while on a power play. Davis Vandane's hard shot touched a Huskies player on its way through a maze of bodies. The puck tipped high, fooling Holfeld to give Vandane his first goal of the season. Kodie Curran and Ryan Harrison notched assists on the play.

The Huskies continued to battle and cut into the deficit but didn't have any luck. After the buzzer sounded, a scrum ensued in front of the Calgary net. Cooler heads would prevail though as the Dinos skated off.

Saskatchewan outshot Calgary 29-27. The Dinos went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Huskies went 0-for-2.

These two teams will take the ice again tomorrow night at the Father David Bauer Arena with a 6:00pm puck drop.

-UC-