Category: Team
After last minute losses to the Moncton Blue Eagles in the two previous CIAU finals, the Saskatchewan Huskies captured their first Canadian title with a 6-2 victory over the Concordia Stingers in the final in Moncton.
The game was tied 1-1 through two periods, with Bruce Keller scoring for teh Huskies. Just under three minutes into the third period, defenceman Doug Archibald took a centering pass from Keller high in the slot, moved in and scored on a wrist shot.
"You could feel the whole bench lift about 10 feet after that," said centre Tim Hodgson. "That put the spark to the pilot light."
Kevin MacNaught scored on a low shot off a faceoff, Tim Leier on a goalmouth scramble, Marc Chartier cashed in a rebound and Randy Wiebe scored short handed. Bob Dougall made 16 saves in net.
The Huskies opened the tournament with a 6-2 victory over the Brandon Bobcats, with Willie Desjardins scoring three goals and Greg Chudiak, Wiebe and Leier adding singles. Keller had five assists.
The Huskies followed with a 10-1 victory over the Wilfrid Lauier Golden Hawks. Dennis Fenske, MacNaught and Wiebe had two goals each, while Dick Kortje, Desjardins, Archibald and Hodgson added singles.
Desjardins was named the tournament MVP, setting a championship record with 11 points in three games. Desjardins and Keller were named tournament all-stars.
The Huskies finished first in the Canada West in regular season with a 16-8 record. In the best-of-three Canada West final at Rutherford Rink, the Huskies beat the Alberta Golden Bears 4-1 and 5-1. Hodgson had five points in the series and both of his goals were tiebreakers.
Desjardins was named the Canada West Player of the Year and also received the Sportsmanship award. Defenceman Robin Bartel won rookie of the year honours and Dougall and Owen Felske took the Adam Kryczka Memorial Trophy for best goals against average in teh conference.
The Huskies were inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
