Nicole Betker, Huskie Athletics

SASKATOON – The No. 3 ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies used two third period goals in a 3-2 win over provincial rival the University of Regina Cougars Friday night in Rutherford Rink. 

Down 2-1 early in the final 20 minutes of the game, the Huskies' Jordan Tkatch tallied at 4:16 in the frame followed by Logan McVeigh at 9:01 to secure the win. McVeigh and first-year Huskie Collin Shirley each finished with a goal and an assist. 

With the win, the Huskies improve to 12-2-1 in the Canada West men's hockey season. The Cougars drop to 3-10-2.

Regina opened the scoring at 5:03 in the first period on a shot by Jordan Burns from the point after a faceoff win. Cody Fowlie won the draw straight back to Burns and his shot beat Huskie goalie Jordon Cooke top shelf glove side after hitting the cross bar to fall into the net.

At 5:05 in the second period Saskatchewan was able to tie the game an odd man rush. Trailer Shirley, in the play, was able to sneak the loose puck by an out of position Dawson MacAuley to tie the game.

The Cougars recovered the lead at 3:57 in the third period on a rush into the Huskies' offensive zone, as Fowlie sent a cross-crease pass that was deposited by Zak Zborosky. But the lead didn't last long, with  Tkatch evening the game again just 19 seconds later. Tkatch found a loose puck from a rebound in front of MacAuley at 4:16.

Saskatchewan took its first lead of the game at 9:01 when McVeigh netted the puck on a quick pass after a MacAuley rebound.

Cooke made 21 saves in the win for the Huskies, while MacAuley stopped 33 at other end of the ice for the Cougars. 

The provincial rivals will meet again in the home-and-home series Saturday night in Regina. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. It is the final weekend of Canada West men's hockey in the first half of the season.