Men's hockey drops game to bitter rival Golden Bears

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SASKATOON – University of Alberta's Jamie Crooks tallied a hat trick in a 6-1 Golden Bears win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night in Rutherford Rink. 

Crooks scored three consecutive goals for the Bears beginning at 14:31 in the second period. He added the Bears' final two goals one at 4:15 in the third period and again at 19:27 in the same frame. 

Alberta defenceman Dylan Bredo added two goals. Tyler Cooper scored the other Bears goal. 

With the win, the No. 1 ranked Golden Bears remain perfect in the Canada West men's hockey season at 11-0-0. The No. 3 ranked Saskatchewan drops to 8-2-1. 

Bredo opened the scoring at 11:32 in the first period when his shot from the point beat Huskies' netminder Jordon Cooke five-hole. He gave the Bears' a 2-0 lead at 18:18 with another shot from the point that beat an outstretched Cooke. The goal was scored just seconds after a Huskies' penalty kill.

But the scoring wasn't over the period. Michael Sofillas cut the Bears' lead in half scoring with just 13 seconds left in the frame on a shot from just inside the left faceoff circle. 

Cooper restored the Golden Bears lead quickly in the second period scoring just 47 seconds into the frame. Cooper was able to beat a Huskie defender and Cooke close in front of the net.

Crooks added the fourth Saskatchewan goal once again just seconds after a Bears' penalty expired. Tyson Baille stepped out of the box and was able to pick up the puck to sending it to Crooks, who beat Cooke at 14:37. 

He added his second of the game at 4:15 in the third period with a shot from the left side that beat Cooke stick side before he could cover the post. Crooks sealed the Golden Bears win on the power play at 19:27.

Burke finished the game making 27 saves for the Golden Bears, while Cooke stopped29 at the other end of the ice.

The two rivals will battle again Saturday night. Puck drop is 7 p.m. in Rutherford Rink.