Matt Johnson, Huskie Athletics
SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team scored three goals in the first period which proved to be the difference as they defeated the Regina Cougars 4-1 on Jan. 11 at Merlis Belsher Place.
Brooklyn Haubrich recorded her first goal of the season, while Bailee Bourassa continued to build upon her impressive campaign, scoring her fifth goal of the year. The Huskies got production from up-and-down in their lineup as Kennedy Brown and Abby Shirley continue to build on their terrific starts to the calendar year. Brown scored for the second time in as many games, while Shirley chipped in her third marker in the past two games and added an assist on the opening goal of the game. Morgan Willoughby, Chloe Smith, Isabella Pozzi, Leah Bohlken, and Kayla Kirwan also tallied assists.
For Regina, Jaycee Magwood once again was the key cog in the offence, as the fourth-year forward tallied her sixth goal of the season. Chelsea Hallson chipped in her fifth assist of 2018-19 on the Cougars lone tally of the night.
2017-18 Canada West Player of the Year Jessica Vance was solid between the pipes for Saskatchewan, as the third-year netminder kicked aside 26 of the 27 shots she faced.
Jane Kish got the start in the cage for Regina, but she was unable to stymie the Huskies offence and left the game after allowing three goals on fourteen shots in the first period. Morgan Baker was sharp in relief, stopping 21 of 22 shots in 40 minutes of action.
The Huskies moved to 12-6-4-1 with the win, while the Cougars fell to 8-8-1-1.
Saskatchewan opened the scoring at the 6:56 mark of the first period, as Haubrich the Huskies captain, banged home her first goal of the season
Under a minute later, Bourassa scored on an absolute rocket into the top right corner to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead.
With just over a minute remaining in the first period, Saskatchewan's Brown knocked down a loose puck in the neutral zone and was off to the races. The rookie forward picked the top left corner over top of the glove of Kish, which ended up spelling the end of the night for the netminder.
In the second period the Huskies continued to build upon their stellar opening frame, as Shirley knocked home a goal.
The Cougars looked to build some momentum late in the second period, as Magwood and Waldenberger entered on a two-on-one, and Magwood, the fourth-year sniper rifled home her sixth goal of the season.
However, Regina was unable to build upon their second frame marker, as Saskatchewan held the visitors at bay in the final frame.
The Huskies will take on the Cougars tomorrow night at Co-Operators Arena in Regina, as the teams travel south for the second half of the home-and-home series between the provincial rivals.