SASKATOON – The University of Calgary Dinos were shutout 4-0 by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night, resulting in the end of their winning streak at Rutherford Rink. 

Both teams came into this match up playing well of late, with the Huskies riding a four game win streak and the Dinos reeling off three straight wins. As a result, this game featured the top two teams in the Canada West division, with Saskatchewan holding down the top spot and Calgary only three points behind them.

With the chance to end up in first place, the Dinos opened the game with strong physical play. Huskie goalie Jordon Cooke stood tall stopping all 11 shots that came his way in the opening frame while Dinos goalie Steven Stanford recorded nine saves in the scoreless first.

After being physically outworked in the first period, Saskatchewan came out flying in the second. Stanford made a nice glove save in the opening minute following a turnover in the Dinos defensive end. The Huskies kept the pressure on and after a mad scramble in front of the net; Jaimen Yakubowski shovelled home the game's first goal, 2:27 into the second period.

The Huskies controlled puck possession the majority of the second period, with only a couple penalty kills changing the direction of play in the Dinos favour. 

The third period continued in a similar manner, as the Dinos were unable to put any real pressure on Cooke, only registering two shots in the opening ten minutes of the final frame. 

Saskatchewan found the back of net 7:31 into the third, after Josh Roach set-up Connor Cox in the high slot, who sniped it past Stanford on the glove side to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead. 

The Huskies had a chance to put the game away soon after, as penalties to Drydn Dow and Dan Gibb left the Dinos with over a minute of 5-on-3 penalty kill. However, Stanford stood tall for Calgary, as they were able to kill off both penalties successfully.

Calgary had a chance to cut the lead to one on a powerplay late in the third. Despite holding the puck in the offensive zone for the entire two minutes, they were unable to find the back of the net.

The Huskies added a couple of empty netters late to double the lead to four and ice the game in the process.

After being outshot in the first period, Saskatchewan ended the game with 40 shots, compared to Calgary's 30.

Head Coach Mark Howell commented after the game, "I thought we played great in that first period; we did a lot of great things and followed the game plan. But then our intensity just was not as good in the second period, kind of let the game get away from us, and just never had the urgency the rest of the game."

As for how he thinks his team can get to Jordon Cooke, the game plan is simple: "We've got to be determined to get in front of his face. He's a good goaltender and like all good goaltenders he is going to make saves if you don't get in his face. We were just too far off to the side tonight."

With the loss, Calgary now trails Saskatchewan by five points for top spot in the Canada West division. They will have a chance to split the weekend series tomorrow night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at Rutherford Rink.

-UC-