Huskies MHKY: Dogs score Six unanswered goals to erase early deficit, win Game 1

The Saskatchewan Huskies took to the ice in a Canada West Championship series for the first time since March 2020, and even with only five years separating their last appearance, tonight didn’t disappoint. After falling into an early 3-0 deficit in the first period, the Huskies roared back, scoring twice in the second and four times in the third to secure a 6-3 victory in Game 1.

Cougars captain Kyle Walker scored 11 seconds into the game, quickly silencing the sold-out Merlis Belsher Place crowd. Two minutes later Josh Tarzwell scored his fourth goal of the playoffs to double the Cougars lead, and former Saskatoon Blade Justin Lies scored their third goal just past the 10 minute mark of the first. The shots were close after one with Mount Royal leading 15-12, but the Huskies play wasn’t poor. They had chances from the start including two crossbars, but the score remained 3-0 Cougars going into the second.

The first 10 minutes of the second period were evenly paced, with Saskatchewan pressing for their first goal. Mount Royal had their share of chances too, but Roddy Ross would stand tall turning aside all 16 shots he faced in the second. The Huskies finally caught a break with Landon Kosior ripping a shot past Shane Farkas to ignite the home crowd. Under a minute later Ethan Regnier found a hole in Farkas with a sharp angle shot, catching both players by surprise. Saskatchewan would only record six shots in the second period, but going into the third finally pulled themselves back into the game.

The third period was Saskatchewan’s strongest, fueled by four consecutive goals. Carter Stebbings deflected a Parker Gavlas shot past Shane Farkas to tie the game and blow the roof off Merlis Belsher Place. Chase Bertholet would come down a few minutes later to snipe the eventual game-winning goal. Vince Loschiavo and Carter Stebbings scored two more insurance markers capping off a thrilling evening with Saskatchewan one win away from capturing another Canada West banner. Below is a full game summary courtesy of Canada West, plus postgame audio from Huskies head coach Brandin Cote and goaltender Roddy Ross……

**********

Mount Royal 3 at Saskatchewan 6 – Status: Final
Friday, March 7, 2025 – Merlis Belsher Place

Mount Royal 3 0 0 – 3
Saskatchewan 0 2 4 – 6

1st Period-1, Mount Royal, Walker 1 0:11. 2, Mount Royal, Tarzwell 4 (Feist, Lies), 2:26. 3, Mount Royal, Lies 2 (Zandee), 10:36. Penalties-Smythe Mru (tripping), 10:48; Tarzwell Mru (kneeing), 18:30.

2nd Period-4, Saskatchewan, Kosior 3 (Holt, Pillar), 14:43. 5, Saskatchewan, Regnier 1 15:19. Penalties-Keeler Ssk (holding), 5:56; Holt Ssk (delay of game), 18:18.

3rd Period-6, Saskatchewan, Stebbings 1 (Gavlas, Sorensen), 7:56. 7, Saskatchewan, Bertholet 1 (Gavlas), 10:59. 8, Saskatchewan, Loschiavo 2 (Keeler, Gavlas), 14:54. 9, Saskatchewan, Stebbings 2 (Keeler), 19:12 (SH EN). Penalties-Aquilon Mru (tripping), 5:15; Wiens Mru (roughing), 11:10; Ball Ssk (roughing), 11:10; Loschiavo Ssk (closing hand on puck), 17:34.

Shots on Goal-Mount Royal 15-16-10-41. Saskatchewan 12-6-10-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Mount Royal 0 / 3; Saskatchewan 0 / 3.
Goalies-Mount Royal, Farkas (27 shots-22 saves). Saskatchewan, Ross (41 shots-38 saves).
A-2,980
Referees-Bryce Sebastian, Kevin Webinger.
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor, Ryan Lundquist.

**********

Postgame Media Scrum with Huskies head coach Brandin Cote: