SASKATOON – The No. 5 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies earned a bye into the Canada West semifinal playoff round with a 4-2 win over the visiting Mount Royal University Cougars Friday night in Rutherford Rink.
Saskatchewan used two goals in the second period and another two in the third to secure the victory in the final weekend of the men's hockey regular season. Huskies' leading scorer Josh Roach scored twice in the game and added an assist, while defenceman Jordan Fransoo and Jesse Forsberg each recorded two assists.
With the win, the Huskies improve to 19-7-1 and snap a four game losing streak. Mount Royal drops to 12-13-2.
Saskatchewan's Alex Forsberg opened the scoring just 17 seconds into the second period. His quick shot from the left side hit the post and went into the net behind Mount Royal goaltender Cam Lanigan. Levi Cable added Saskatchewan's second goal at 10:29 in the second period after a rebound slipped into a crowd in front of the net. Cable's shot as he was falling beat Lanigan glove side.
A turnover in the neutral zone allowed the Cougars to cut the Huskies' lead in half just 1:30 after Saskatchewan had extended the lead. Jamal Watson deked Saskatchewan netminder Jordon Cooke at 12:00 for the goal.
Roach restored the Huskies' two goal lead at 3:41 in the third period scoring short-handed. After a turnover resulted in a rush into the Cougars zone, Roach's shot beat Lanigan top shelf, glove side.
Watson once again answered for Mount Royal scoring at 8:21 skating around three Huskies before beating Cooke.
Roach added the empty net goal at 19:45.
Lanigan made 34 saves for the Cougars in the loss, while Cooke stopped 25.
The two teams will meet Saturday night in the final game of the Canada West regular season. Puck drop is 7 p.m. in Rutherford Rink.