SASKATOON – Peppi Virtanen played the role of overtime hero, netting the game-winner to lift the Saskatchewan Huskies to a 2–1 victory over the visiting University of Calgary Dinos on Saturday night at Merlis Belsher Place.

After surrendering seven goals in a loss to the Dinos the previous night, the Huskies' defense responded with a strong bounce-back effort, holding Calgary to a single goal and getting a stellar performance from goaltender Clara Juca, who made 25 saves in the win. The result improves Saskatchewan's record to 5-3-2 on the season and moves them into a tie with Regina for third place in the Canada West East Division. The Huskies have now won three of their last four games.

Calgary was equally solid defensively, backstopped by rookie Maisie Cope, who turned aside 24 shots in the overtime loss. The defeat drops the Dinos to 7-3-2, putting them in a tie with Mount Royal for the top spot in the East Division.

The opening period saw both teams settle in early, with defense prevailing through the first ten minutes. The Huskies eventually got their opportunity to break the deadlock what Calgary was whistled for a penalty. On the ensuing power play, Bronwyn Boucher tipped home a point shot from Virtanen to give Saskatchewan the early 1-0 lead.

The second period was defined by penalties, as the two teams combined for six infractions – five of them against the home side. Leaning heavily on their penalty kill, the Huskies' defensive unit and Juca stood tall, stifling the Dinos' power play and preserving the one-goal advantage heading into the third.

Early in the final frame, Calgary finally solved Juca. Just over four minutes in, Sydney Mercier walked into the slot and rifled a shot across her body to the left corner, beating Juca blocker-side to tie the game 1-1. Both teams pressed hard for the go-ahead goal, but strong defensive play on both sides forced overtime.

In the extra frame, it was the Huskies who came through. With just under two minutes remaining, Kendra Zuchotzki threaded a stretch pass up the middle to a streaking Virtanen, who broke in alone and fired a shot past Cope's glove to secure the 2-1 victory for the Dogs.

The Dinos now return to Calgary where they will play their next eight games spanning all the way into the New Year. The prolonged homestand starts next weekend when Trinity Western comes to campus for two, starting Friday at 7 p.m. from Father David Bauer Arena.

-UC-