Saskatchewan captures Canada West men’s hockey title

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Huskies 3, Cougars 0

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They’re going to hang up another banner at Merlis Belsher Place.

However, the W. G. Hardy Trophy and a sheet of Plexi-glass sheet both proved to be less durable than University of Saskatchewan Huskies goalie Ross Ross on Sunday night.

The Canada West goalie of the year made 30 saves in a 3-0 shutout victory for the Huskies over the visiting Mount Royal University Cougars in Game 3 of their best-of-three Canada West men’s hockey championship final series.

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Ross did so before a sold-out Merlis Belsher Place, filled to capacity with 3,013 fans.

Meanwhile, the Canada West men’s hockey championship trophy fell apart prior to the post-game celebration skate and may be in need of some repairs, and a Plexi-glass panel needed to be replaced earlier in the night.

But what a night it was for the Dogs.

With the win, Saskatchewan adds its 12th Canada West men’s hockey title since 1981 — its first since 2020 and first under third-year head coach Brandin Cote, this year’s Canada West coach of the year.

“It’s unreal,” said Ross, a fourth-year Huskie netminder from Meadow Lake. “I mean, winning is the main part. The shutout, I guess, is just an extra bonus. But winning means a lot. It’s been four years. It’s been a grind. We finally got it done. It’s exciting.”

The Dogs got outplayed through 40 minutes but Ross kept them in the game before his team took control in the final period.

“I felt good — I felt good all weekend,” said Ross, who stepped in to play all three games of the series when Jordan Kooy became unavailable.

“Like I said after the first game, I wasn’t worried if we lost that one. I know these guys are going to battle all weekend. And that’s what we did. I felt so good this weekend. I’m looking forward to nationals.”

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Saskatchewan faced some adversity in the deciding game. The team was down a few forwards, with injuries to Liam Keeler, Chase Bertholet and Ben Tkachuk, while veteran defenceman Rhett Rhinehart was also sidelined Sunday, but the Huskies found a way to pull out a win.

“It’s fantastic,” said Cote. “Any time you win, it’s hard to describe the feeling. I’m so proud of our group. We stuck with it. Our backs were against the wall. They came hard. Roddy held the fort, and then we just capitalized on our opportunities.

“I’m very proud of the guys.”

Vince Loschiavo, Ethan Regnier and Ty Prefontaine, with an empty-net goal, scored for the Huskies, who were outshot 30-27 in the game but held a 16-6 edge in the third when it counted the most.

“I’m honestly speechless — so much emotion, so much went into this year,” said Regnier, who joined the Huskies from Mount Royal prior to this season.

“To get it done on home ice is awesome.”

The line of Regnier, Jarrett Penner and captain Justin Ball was, arguably, the Huskies’ top unit during the weekend with relentless pressure and forechecking.

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“They were unreal,” said Cote. “Just the experience they have. Ethan won a championship in Swift Current. Penn’s been around the league. And Ballsy’s the only guy who’s won in Canada West (a Canada West title in 2020). Those guys really took a huge leadership role and were really steady for us. I just can’t say enough about the leadership group we’ve had, the guys who have been through this cycle with us. I’m just so proud of them.”

Penner, Regnier and Ball were a thorn in the Cougars’ side.

“We’re just the fourth line, just be heavy on pucks, hard to play against, and I have to give credit to my two linemates — they’re so easy to play with and it was awesome,” said Regnier.

“They (Cougars) are a great team over there. I know lots of those guys, played with them for a long time and they brought it today. Roddy played amazing for us. He hung in there and then, at the end there, we got a couple of goals.

“It’s all awesome.”

Penner was a part-time player during the regular season, but he’s elevated his play when it counts the most in playoffs. The former Trinity Western University Spartan has gone from a perennial losing record in TWU to a Canada West champion.

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“It feels amazing — it’s so good to do it on home ice,” said Penner, a Saskatoon product. “Our line just goes out there and plays hard and physical, and we did a good job of that.

“I just think that’s my style — play hard, fast and heavy — and I think it worked out for us. (Nationals) is going to be another test. We got step one down.  (Nationals) are our next goal and we’re going to do it.”

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