SASKATOON – A pair of first-period power play goals proved to be the difference as Saskatchewan prevailed with a 2-1 win over the University of Calgary Dinos Saturday night on what was Senior Night for the Huskies at Merlis Belsher Place to complete the weekend sweep.

The victory marks Saskatchewan's third straight win and improves the Huskies' record to 19-5-2 on the season, as they now sit alone atop the East Division standings. More importantly, the result confirms that the Huskies have secured a home playoff game, with the team unable to finish worse than second in the division.

Having now lost six in a row, Calgary slips to 17-8-1 and sits third in the East, trailing both Mount Royal and Saskatchewan. Despite the recent struggles, the Dinos have had a playoff berth clinched for weeks and will still battle to earn a home playoff series of their own next weekend.

After taking the weekend opener on Friday, Saskatchewan leaned on special teams and another strong performance from Nolan Maier in the one-goal win. The Huskies were awarded three power-play opportunities over the 60-minute contest, converting twice courtesy of Landon Kosior and Dawson Holt. The Dogs' penalty-killing unit also clamped down on Calgary's power play, which has been among the most efficient in the conference this season, as the Dinos entered the weekend ranked second in Canada West at 31.4%.

Meanwhile, Maier frustrated Calgary shooters all night, surrendering just one goal while turning aside 29 shots, securing his sixth win in as many starts for the Dogs.

Similar to Friday night's tilt, the Huskies opened the scoring midway through the first period. With the Dogs on the power play following a Calgary slashing infraction, Kosior snapped a one-timer through traffic for the game's opening goal. With a two-point performance on Saturday, the Regina product continues to enjoy a strong season, sitting fourth on the team in scoring and leading all Huskies blueliners with 25 points.

Late in the period, and with Saskatchewan once again on the man advantage, the Huskies looked to extend their lead before intermission. Just eight seconds into the power play, Holt - positioned at the side of the net - tipped home the special-teams marker for his 34th point of the season, tying Chantz Petruic for the Huskies' points lead, as Petruic recorded two assists in the win.

Special teams remained a focal point as play resumed in the second period. Early in the frame, both teams traded power-play chances, but neither side could capitalize. Late in the period, Huskies forward Jarrett Penner and Dinos winger Hayden Pakkala were assessed coincidental roughing minors, resulting in four-on-four play, but neither team could take advantage of the added space. However, Calgary would eventually break through as the period wound down. With 1:12 remaining, Pakkala found Logan Hauer at the top of the crease, who deflected the puck over a sliding Maier to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the break.

With the Huskies protecting a one-goal lead and the Dinos pushing for the equalizer, the third period evolved into a defensive battle, with the two teams combining for just 11 shots in the final frame. Calgary pressed for the tying goal in the game's dying moments, pulling the goaltender for an extra attacker with 1:24 remaining. However, Maier and the Huskies' back end stood tall, denying the Dinos a second goal and preserving the 2-1 victory.

With just two games remaining, the Huskies will close out the regular season in Calgary against Mount Royal. Meanwhile, the Dinos return home for their final two of the regular season, hosting Manitoba Friday and Saturday inside Father David Bauer Arena.

-UC-