WHKY: Huskies take out shorthanded Dinos
February 18, 2023
CALGARY - The Saskatchewan Huskies are through to the next round of the Canada West Playoffs after edging the University of Calgary Dinos women's hockey team 3-2 in Game 2 of the conference quarter-final on Saturday night at Father David Bauer Arena.
The Huskies win the best-of-three series 2-0 and will either face the UBC Thunderbirds or Alberta Pandas next weekend.
After surrendering an early goal the Huskies were able to answer back and take a lead out of the first period before adding insurance in the second period. Huskies fourth-year blueliner Issabella Pozzi scored the series-clinching goal and reflected on her team's ability to make big plays throughout the weekend.
"It's huge for our confidence. Yesterday there were a couple of goals against but our ability to respond is huge. For us to rally and not let it get us down is big for the energy on the bench as well."
With their backs against the wall, the Dinos were without their leading scorer Alli Borrow who suffered a late injury in Game 1. She was replaced by first-year forward Jada Leung, who has suited up just 12 times for Calgary this year. Just 2:49 seconds into the game Leung found Brette Kerley in the slot who netted a sweet backhand five-hole goal to open the scoring.
Eight minutes later Huskies second-year forward Sara Kendall tied the game. She received a pass in the neutral zone and made a nifty move to create space in the open ice. Kendall glided towards the goal and sniped home the equalizer in the top left corner of the net.
With just 2:25 remaining in the period Kendra Zuchotzki threw a shot on target from the point that was deflected into the net through a mess of bodies, giving Saskatchewan a 2-1 lead through the first intermission.
The Huskies netted the only goal of the second period with 8:05 remaining, capitalizing on their third power play chance of the frame. Sophie Lalor picked up her second assist of the night after a nice feed to Pozzi at the point where the defenceman connected for the two-goal advantage.
The Dinos were stymied by veteran Huskie netminder Camryn Drever, who finished with 26 saves, for the majority of the third period. After pulling their goalie, Calgary found some of their patented late-game magic as Keagan Goulet spotted Rebecca Clarke in front of the net for her third goal in the last two games, shrinking the lead to just one with 2:08 on the clock.
Calgary's comeback would fall short as the final buzzer sounded on their season minutes later.
After the game, an emotional Clarke reflected on her team's efforts in this year's playoffs.
"We've been working really hard as a team since Christmas and I think we've played our best hockey when it mattered most. This weekend we played our best hockeytoo bad we came up short. We grew so much as a team, we're growing each year and next year we'll be in an even better position."
Calgary graduate Jada Burke, Annaliese Meier, Emily Hill, Alli Borrow, Jordyn Burgar, Erin Armstrong and Ashley Sutherland.
At the other end of the ice, Pozzi and the Huskies already have their sights on the next round.
"The goal is to get right back to nationals where we were last year. That's the ultimate goal. I have really high hopes and belief in our team that we can get there again."
The Huskies win the best-of-three series 2-0 and will either face the UBC Thunderbirds or Alberta Pandas next weekend.
After surrendering an early goal the Huskies were able to answer back and take a lead out of the first period before adding insurance in the second period. Huskies fourth-year blueliner Issabella Pozzi scored the series-clinching goal and reflected on her team's ability to make big plays throughout the weekend.
"It's huge for our confidence. Yesterday there were a couple of goals against but our ability to respond is huge. For us to rally and not let it get us down is big for the energy on the bench as well."
With their backs against the wall, the Dinos were without their leading scorer Alli Borrow who suffered a late injury in Game 1. She was replaced by first-year forward Jada Leung, who has suited up just 12 times for Calgary this year. Just 2:49 seconds into the game Leung found Brette Kerley in the slot who netted a sweet backhand five-hole goal to open the scoring.
Eight minutes later Huskies second-year forward Sara Kendall tied the game. She received a pass in the neutral zone and made a nifty move to create space in the open ice. Kendall glided towards the goal and sniped home the equalizer in the top left corner of the net.
With just 2:25 remaining in the period Kendra Zuchotzki threw a shot on target from the point that was deflected into the net through a mess of bodies, giving Saskatchewan a 2-1 lead through the first intermission.
The Huskies netted the only goal of the second period with 8:05 remaining, capitalizing on their third power play chance of the frame. Sophie Lalor picked up her second assist of the night after a nice feed to Pozzi at the point where the defenceman connected for the two-goal advantage.
The Dinos were stymied by veteran Huskie netminder Camryn Drever, who finished with 26 saves, for the majority of the third period. After pulling their goalie, Calgary found some of their patented late-game magic as Keagan Goulet spotted Rebecca Clarke in front of the net for her third goal in the last two games, shrinking the lead to just one with 2:08 on the clock.
Calgary's comeback would fall short as the final buzzer sounded on their season minutes later.
After the game, an emotional Clarke reflected on her team's efforts in this year's playoffs.
"We've been working really hard as a team since Christmas and I think we've played our best hockey when it mattered most. This weekend we played our best hockeytoo bad we came up short. We grew so much as a team, we're growing each year and next year we'll be in an even better position."
Calgary graduate Jada Burke, Annaliese Meier, Emily Hill, Alli Borrow, Jordyn Burgar, Erin Armstrong and Ashley Sutherland.
At the other end of the ice, Pozzi and the Huskies already have their sights on the next round.
"The goal is to get right back to nationals where we were last year. That's the ultimate goal. I have really high hopes and belief in our team that we can get there again."