Matt Johnson, Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan men's hockey team shutout the Lethbridge Pronghorns by a score of 5-0, as they picked up their fourth win of the season, on Friday, Oct. 19, at Merlis Belsher Place.
"I thought our guys showed great composure all night, sticking to our game when they could've slowed down. I thought we kept the tempo going pretty good," said Huskies head coach Dave Adolph.
Wyatt Johnson scored twice for the Huskies, while Carson Stadnyk, Jaimen Yakubowski, and Kohl Bauml also chipped in goals in the victory. Colby Harmsworth and Gordie Ballhorn each had big nights on the back end, as the defensive pairing recorded three and two assists respectively. Stadnyk and Bauml each added assists completing two-point nights for the forwards, while Alex Forsberg, Donovan Neuls and Michael Sofillas also tallied helpers.
Huskies goaltender Taran Kozun turned aside all 13 shots he faced in the contest, as the second-year goaltender registered his first shutout of the season. Meanwhile, on the other end, Garrett Hughson stood strong and did all he could to keep his team in the hockey game, as he stopped 49 of the 54 shots fired his way for the Pronghorns.
The win moves the Huskies to 4-1-0 through five games this season, while the loss drops the Pronghorns to 2-3-0.
The Huskies came out of the gates flying and looking for an early lead in the hockey game, as Michael Sofillas had back-to-back glorious scoring chances in the slot, but Hughson turned aside both shots, keeping the game scoreless.
However, just 4:53 into the first frame, Stadnyk got the opening goal Saskatchewan was searching for, as he was sprung in alone off a beautiful stretch pass from Ballhorn. Stadnyk was able to hold off a Lethbridge defenseman and roof a backhander over top of Hughson to put the green and white in front 1-0.
The Huskies were quick to pad to their lead, as a Pronghorns penalty sent the home side to the power play. After a nifty passing play, Johnson finished off the feed from Stadnyk, rifling the puck past Hughson, giving Johnson his first goal of the 2018-19 Canada West Campaign.
Saskatchewan dominated in all aspects of the game in the first frame outshooting Lethbridge 18-5, as they entered the intermission with a 2-0 lead.
The Huskies continued to build onto their momentum as at 5:02 into the second period, an Alex Forsberg slapshot ricocheted off the end glass and back in front of the net, catching Hughson out of position, and Yakubowski made no mistake of the opportunity as he buried the puck into the open cage. The tally was the second of the season for Yakubowski, which gave the Huskies a three-goal lead.
Saskatchewan added to their lead minutes into the third frame, after Bauml beautifully redirected a Ballhorn centering pass upstairs over the shoulder of Hughson to get the Huskies ahead by four. Bauml has got off to a tremendous start to the season, as the fourth-year forward sits with three goals and three assists through five games.
Johnson added his second goal of the night at the 18:25 mark of the third period, with his snipe sealing the fate of the game for Saskatchewan, making the score 5-0.
The Huskies and Pronghorns will take the ice for the final game of the two-game series on Oct. 20, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Merlis Belsher Place.