Men's hockey wins with two first period goals

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LETHBRIDGE – Opening the second semester of Canada West action, the third ranked Saskatchewan Huskies jumped on the Pronghorns early, riding a two-goal first period to a 3-2 win.

The loss drops the Pronghorns' record to 7-9-1. The win improves Saskatchewan's record to 14-2-1 and within two points of the conference leading Alberta Golden Bears, following a Bears overtime loss in Winnipeg tonight. 

Jesse Forsberg scored twice in the first period, while Jordan Tkatch picked up the eventual game winning goal. Russ Maxwell and Connor Sanvido replied for the Pronghorns.

Less than four minutes into the game, the Huskies opened the scoring. Jesse Forsberg picked up his sixth of the season, taking a pass in the slot from John Lawrence and beating Pronghorn goaltender Garret Hughson low blocker.

In a period dominated by the third ranked Huskies, Forsberg doubled the Huskie lead with just over five minutes remaining in the period. During a goalmouth scramble, Forsberg jumped on a loose puck and banged home his second of the night.

Shots through 20 minutes heavily favored the Huskies, 17-3.

While struggling in the opening period, the Pronghorns brought themselves back into the game before the five minute mark of the second. On a two-on-one break Arty Kalashnikov slid a pass across to Russ Maxwell, who made no mistake, outwaiting Huskie keeper Jordan Cooke for his first of the season.

However, just over six minutes later the Huskies would regain their two goal lead. Parker Tkatch, breaking in on the left wing snapped a shot over Hughson's shoulder just past the midway mark.

After weathering a Huskies storm, Connor Sanvido brought the Pronghorns back to within one and Pronghorn fans to their feet with a highlight reel goal. Sanvido slipped the puck through his feet to beat both Huskie defenders and roofed a shot past Cooke. 

Despite a scoreless period in the third, it wasn't without chances for the Pronghorns to tie the game. Dalton Sward and Mitch Maxwell had short-handed breakaways, but could not beat Cooke. Sward missed wide and Cooke stoned Maxwell on two separate breakaways including one in the final two minutes. 

The Huskies outshot the Pronghorns 40 to 21, and neither team was able to score on the power play, the Huskies missed on six opportunities, while the Pronghorns were unable to capitalize on four chances. 

The Pronghorns and Huskies wrap up the season series tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena, the puck drops at 7:00pm. The game will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.