Ben Matchett, Calgary Sports Information

CALGARY – Tobi Ojo came off the bench late in the contest and scored two goals less than 10 minutes apart to lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskies to a 4-2 season-opening win over the University of Calgary Dinos Saturday afternoon.

After fighting back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, the Huskies took their first lead on the 75th minute as Ojo took a nice feed from Nikolas Baikas, stepped to his right, and buried it low off the left post to give the visitors their first lead of the day. Less than 10 minutes later, Ojo parked himself in front of Dinos goalkeeper Jake Ruschkowski and one-timed a Mason Ogoke pass just inside the left post to make it 4-2.

It was a day of missed opportunities for the Dinos, who carried the play throughout most of the first hour and had all kinds of chances, especially in the opening half hour, but were only able to put two past Greg Buckley in the Saskatchewan goal.

"We didn't capitalize early, and then lack of discipline cost us," said Calgary head coach Brendan O'Connell. "At half time we talked about retaining the ball more because we were in charge, but it didn't happen. We're disappointed with that result."

Calgary's opening foray came courtesy Dominik Zuczek, whose solo effort got past Buckley 27 minutes into the contest. That lead lasted just eight minutes as the Huskies took advantage of miscues by the Dinos, with Gabriel Buatois drawing even in the 35th minute, and it was 1-1 at the half.

The Dinos struck again in the early stages of the second half, with Leonardo Culina taking a feed from Jared Fillo, then turning and bending a beautiful goal into the top right corner to make it 2-1. Again, however, that lead was short-lived as Tyler Redl snuck behind the Calgary defenders and put away a Baikas feed to tie it at 2-2, setting the stage for Ojo's late-game surge.

Baikas picked up assists on the first three goals for Saskatchewan, earning his team's MVP honours, while Zuczek was named Calgary's top man in the match.

Both teams are back at it Sunday in Calgary, with Saskatchewan heading down the road to face the Mount Royal Cougars while the Dinos will look to rebound with a tilt against the Lethbridge Pronghorns.

"We have to go away, self-reflect, and think about our defensive responsibilities," said O'Connell. "We need to go after it tomorrow and get some points."

Kickoff between the Dinos and 'Horns is set for 2 p.m. MT.

-UC-

Photo by David Moll