WINNIPEG – The No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies (19-4-2) extended their winning streak to eight games on Friday night at Wayne Fleming Arena, topping the Manitoba Bisons (9-12-2) 3-2 in double overtime.
The win was valuable for the Huskies. The squad that has only lost once since November 1 kept pace with the Alberta Golden Bears on 40 points at the top of the Canada West standings.
Manitoba committed five penalties in the opening period, while Saskatchewan committed four.
A double minor for high sticking — the first of two four-minute penalties for the Bisons — did the most damage.
The first double minor occurred in the opening minute and the Huskies capitalized. Forward Donovan Neuls released a wrist shot from the left slot that went off a Bison and in at 1:33.
Manitoba's second double minor occurred with 1:34 left in the period due to spearing. The Bisons killed off the first portion, but entered the second period on the penalty kill.
Despite the frequent infractions, Manitoba did a relatively good job of limiting a potent Huskies power play and also got a few chances on odd man rushes short-handed.
The host's best offensive opportunity came five minutes into the contest with the man advantage. Keaton Jameson tipped a shot just outside the crease on a Colton Veloso pass, however Saskatchewan goaltender Taran Kozun made the stop.
The second period mimicked the first in terms of penalty minutes, however it was the Huskies who were primarily sitting in the box. They spent more than half of the period killing off penalties, however Manitoba was unable to cash in. This was due in part to Kozun, who made a number of big saves from in tight.
The Bisons tied the game up at even strength however, courtesy of senior defenceman Sean Christensen, who was playing in the final home series of his UM career. He received a loose puck from Josh Tripp and wristed it past Kozun and a sea of bodies in front with 9:41 to go.
The final two minutes in the middle frame were absolute madness.
Saskatchewan at one point had three men in the box, giving Manitoba a sustained five-on-three. Kozun kept the game tied and his side rewarded him short-handed with 31 seconds left as forward Carson Stadnyk went forehand-backhand on a two-on-one.
It was Manitoba's turn to strike on the man-advantage five minutes into the third period as forward Jeremey Leipsic found Devon Skoleski on a stellar pass from behind the net that the latter made no mistake on with a one-timer.
Neither side found the back of the net the rest of the way, sending the contest to overtime. With the Huskies on the power play in three-on-three overtime, Carson Stadnyk ripped a shot from the point that Logan McVeigh redirected into the back of the net for the game-winner.
The two sides will be back at it tomorrow night.
