Assuming, is never a good idea with anything. When looking at the Canada West Men’s Hockey standings, one could assume what the outcome would have been for the Huskies against the last-place Regina Cougars. Wrong. A 5-4 victory for the Regina Cougars was a stunning as you would imagine, considering Saskatchewan’s dominant performance over Alberta and Regina being outscored 24-3 against Mount Royal, both just one week ago. But, that’s what happens when one assumes.
Cougars goaltender Damon Cunningham put together a first-star performance, turning aside 46 of 50 shots for only his and Regina’s fourth win of the season. Kade Runke opened the scoring for Regina two-minutes into the game by potting home his own rebound past Jordan Kooy. Cade Hayes responded with a deflection from a Mac Gross point shot before Jordan Borysiuk gave Regina the lead back before the end of the period. Huskies captain Gunner Kinniburgh tied the game early in the second with his first goal of the season before Regina scored three-answered goals from Brayden Barnett, Rylan Silzer, and Eric Pearce. Jordan Kooy was pulled for Nolan Maier after Barnett’s tally, allowing three goals on 14 shots. Maier allowed two goals in second period and stopped nine of 11 shots to finish the game. Chantz Petruic and Liam Keeler tried for a comeback with a goal each in the third, plus 23 of the team’s 50 shots coming in the final period.
The two teams will meet again in Regina tomorrow night with the Huskies looking for a now crucial two-points as the race for first place intensifies in the Canada West East Division. Following is postgame audio with Huskies Head Coach Brandin Cote, plus the official game summary courtesy Canada West……
Regina 5 at Saskatchewan 4 – Status: Final
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Merlis Belsher Place
Regina 2 3 0 – 5
Saskatchewan 1 1 2 – 4
1st Period-1, Regina, Runke 1 2:19. 2, Saskatchewan, Hayes 4 (Gross, Regnier), 8:44. 3, Regina, Borysiuk 1 (Gulutzan, Heward), 15:16. Penalties-Heward Reg (slashing), 5:47.
2nd Period-4, Saskatchewan, Kinniburgh 1 (Hayes, Penner), 3:18. 5, Regina, Barnett 2 (Silzer), 4:37. 6, Regina, Silzer 1 (Jasper, Belitski), 8:35. 7, Regina, Pearce 2 (Silzer, Belitski), 16:26 (PP). Penalties-Jasper Reg (delay of game), 0:37; Steele Reg (slashing), 8:31; Penner Ssk (cross checking), 8:31; Pillar Ssk (slashing), 14:32.
3rd Period-8, Saskatchewan, Petruic 17 (Pillar), 2:21. 9, Saskatchewan, Keeler 7 11:58. Penalties-Culling Reg (hooking), 6:29; served by Hayes Ssk (too many men), 9:43; Culling Reg (tripping), 9:47.
Shots on Goal-Regina 13-8-4-25. Saskatchewan 12-15-23-50.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 1 / 2; Saskatchewan 0 / 4.
Goalies-Regina, Cunningham 4-11-0-0 (50 shots-46 saves). Saskatchewan, Kooy 7-2-1-1 (14 shots-11 saves); Maier 4-1-0-0 (11 shots-9 saves).
A-1,670
Referees-Ty Skene, Andrew Sawatsky.
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor, Jordan Frey.
