SASKATOON – With four unanswered goals in the final two periods, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies downed the visiting University of Manitoba Bisons 6-2 Friday night in Rutherford Rink.
Saskatchewan held a two goal lead after the first period before Manitoba evened the score midway through the second 20 minutes. But the Huskies scored one goal in the second half of the second period and three more in the third to seal the victory.
With the win, the No. 4 ranked Huskies improve to 15-3-1. The No. 10 ranked Bisons drop to 11-6-2.
The Huskies got on the board quick scoring just 51 seconds into the game. Saskatchewan caused a turnover behind the Bisons' net and Parker Thomas was able to score on the third rebound given up by Byron Spriggs in the sequence.
Carson Stadnyk gave the Huskies' a two goal lead at 18:31 when he was on the receiving end of a Jaimen Yakibowski cross-crease pass. Stadnyk was able to tuck the puck into the right side of the net before Spriggs could get across.
Manitoba capitalized on a power play to start the second period. Remi Laurencelle's shot from the slot hit the post and went in by Taran Kozun's glove at 1:03. Adam Henry tied the game at 8:11 on a quick shot from the left side of the net that snuck by Kozun.
The tie didn't last long. John Lawrence restored the Huskies' lead at 10:55 after a Bisons' turnover sent the Huskies into the offensive zone on a rush. His shot beat Spriggs
Jordan Tkatch restored the Huskies' two goal lead 2:58 into the final period scoring on a Spriggs' rebound. Canada West leading scorer Josh Roach added to the lead scoring on a three-on-one at 10:21.
Michael Sofillas added the empty net goal at 18:54.
Kozun made 27 saves in the win for Saskatchewan, while Spriggs stopped 34 in the loss for the Bisons.
The two teams battle again Saturday night in Rutherford Rink. Puck drop is 7 p.m.