CALGARY – Separated by seven points, the third-place University of Calgary will host the first-place University of Saskatchewan Huskies in what will be their second head-to-head set this season.

The series kicks off Friday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m., followed by the back-end contest on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. with both games taking place at the Father David Bauer Arena.

DIFFERENT TRENDS
Despite having a record of 7-3-0-0 in their last ten games, the Dinos have dropped 3 of their last 4, including the last game of 2018 against the dead last Manitoba Bisons. During this miniature slump, the Dinos have been outscored 17-10. Calgary did, however, get a big win over the holiday break, posting an ultra-rare shutout at Clare Drake Arena in Edmonton in a 1-0 win over the Alberta Golden Bears.

On the visiting side, the Huskies have won 12 of 13, as they ended the year with a split against the No. 2 University of Alberta Golden Bears. Aside from the 4-2 loss on Dec. 1, the Huskies have been plowing through Canada West, rattling off 12 consecutive wins, which included five weekend sweeps in a row.

SCORING TITANS
Both the Dinos and Huskies have been lighting the lamp frequently this season, as they sit third and second is goals for with 64 and 67, respectively. These teams have been led by two of Canada West's top scorers, as Riley Sheen for Calgary and Carson Stadnyk for Saskatchewan have dominated for their clubs.

Sheen is tied for first in league scoring with 20 points, and stands alone atop the goal scoring race with 12, while Stadnyk is tied for second with 19 points – three of which have been game winning goals, which tied for first in Canada West.

HUSKIES' UPPER HAND
Calgary and Saskatchewan met early on in this 2018-19 season, in which the Dinos traveled to Merlis Belsher Place only to be handed back-to-back losses on Oct. 12-13. Huskies goaltender Taran Kozun picked up both Ws that weekend, stopping 44 of 50 shots faced. (Fri, Oct 12 - 5-4 SOW, Sat, Oct. 13 – 3-2)

SCOUTING REPORT
vs SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES
Game Info: Friday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. with both games at the Father David Bauer Arena
Record: 14-2-0-0, 1st in Canada West
Leading Scorer: Carson Stadnyk (8g, 11a)
Expected Starting Goaltender: Taran Kozun,  11-2-0-0, 2.18 GAA, 0.908 SV%

NOTES

• Kozun leads all goaltenders in Canada West with 11 wins on the season, has also logged the most minutes played of any goaltender with 796:54
• Calgary enters the weekend with the third best penalty kill in Canada West (87.0%), while the Huskies will counter with the third best power play in the conference (18.7%).
• In the Dinos' 10 victories this season, they have nine different game winning goal scorers
• Saskatchewan forward Levi Cable is currently riding a five game goal streak, scoring 6 times in the process
• Gordie Ballhorn and Travis Child are the Huskies' skaters that hail from Alberta

ON THE HORIZON
Next weekend, Saskatchewan will split with Regina, while the Dinos will do the same with Lethbridge. Calgary will face the 'Horns in Lethbridge Thursday, Jan. 10 before a Friday night return tilt at Father David Bauer Arena Jan. 11.

-UC-