CALGARY –  Following a shootout defeat on Friday, the University of Calgary Dinos bounced back with a gritty victory, winning 4-2 over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Saturday night Oct. 28 at the Father David Bauer Arena.

Dinos veteran forward Cain Franson opened the scoring for Calgary as he notched his first of two goals of the night, converting on an in-tight play, beating Huskies netminder Jordon Cooke: "I was coming on the wide side and I saw their guy, and he took a peek before he went around the net. I had a hunch he was going to go the middle so I just put my stick there, luckily it hit and I was lucky to put it in." 

Only two minutes later, Saskatchewan responded on the scoreboard thanks in large part to a 5-on-3 powerplay. With forward Robbie Fisher already in the box for interference, rookie forward Matt Alfaro was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for a hit to the head along with a ten-minute misconduct. After some good puck movement, Huskies forward Levi Cable found himself alone at the hashmarks before roofing the biscuit over Dinos goalie Matt Greenfield.

 

The score remained 1-1 heading into the second.

In the second, the Dinos were quick to retake the lead as forward Tim Vanstone made it 2-1 just over 4 minutes in to the period. Vanstone, after receiving a crisp pass from Dane Gibson, turned to his backhand before slipping the puck between the wickets of Cooke.

After Huskies defender Jesse Forsberg tied the game with a shorthanded marker, the Dinos retook their lead just 21 seconds after the tying goal. 

Defender Dylan Busenius had time and space from the blue line before taking a wrist shot that deflected off a Huskies player before beating Cooke, making it 3-2. For Busenius, it was his second goal so far this season. 

Entering the third, the Dinos played the Huskies tight, giving them nothing in the way of scoring chances.

The Dinos managed to net some insurance, as Cain Franson picked up his second goal of the night via deflection. Off the rush, Alfaro dished the puck to Franson in slot, who neatly deflected the puck past Cooke, all but ensuring the Dinos victory. 

The victory for Calgary was a great way to enter the much needed upcoming bye week, but as Franson explained, despite the victory, his squad still has plenty of work to do: "It's huge, it's time to take advantage of some things. It comes at a very good time for us. There's a bunch of things we need to work on like our penalty kill for example. We finished strong but there is still some stuff we can work on. We'll pay attention this week and work on some details and take it day by day."

The Dinos and Huskies will have the following weekend off before Calgary comes back to play the Mount Royal University Cougars in this season's first installment of the Crowchild Classic, Nov. 10-11.

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