SASKATOON — It was perhaps a little too close for comfort, but in the end the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men's hockey team took care of business in their home-opener, defeating the Regina Cougars by a score of 3-2 at Merlis Belsher Place.

Chantz Petruic and Zane Franklin each scored in the third period, erasing a one-goal Regina lead, as the pair of first-year forwards recorded their first-career goals as Huskies.

Another first for Saskatchewan - Mike Babcock earning his first-career win behind the bench for the green-and-white.

"In the end we found a way to win a game. In my experience, you're usually up one or down one heading into the third and you've got to find a way to win. That's what good teams do. They just win," said Mike Babcock.

Roddy Ross earned the start between the pipes for the Huskies and he recorded the win in his first-career game in the green-and-white. The former Regina Pat made 17 saves on 19 shots on the evening.

"I thought Ross was real solid tonight," said Babcock. "He made make saves to allow us to kind of survive and get a win." 

Brandon Holtby did all he could to keep the Cougars in it. Holtby shut the door throughout the evening, stopping 28 of 31 shots.

Saskatchewan opened the scoring, as Justin Ball found the back of the net in the late stages of the first, but Regina struck back in the second as Tanner Sidaway re-deflected a shot from the slot past Ross.

Things were looking dicey for a bit in the third for the Huskies. The Cougars took the lead just 447seconds into the frame on a two-on-one marker, as Turner Ripplinger finished off the play past a sprawling Ross.

But after killing off a Jeff Faith five-minute major, the Huskies seemed to find life.

It was Petruic, who found his way onto a stopped Connor Hobbs point-shot at the side of the cage and made no mistake to tie the game up at two.

And it was a fellow first-year who provided the difference maker. Ball found Franklin at the side of the cage and the former Kamloops Blazers captain tucked it home to send the crowd into pandemonium and home happy.

The Huskies and Cougars will do battle for the second time in as many nights tomorrow in Regina, as Saskatchewan searches for the series sweep.

Quotables:

Franklin on scoring the game-winning-goal:

"It was a good feeling, hopefully there's a couple more to come down the road."

Babcock on the Huskies first game:

"I've been in a lot of home openers in my life. A lot of home openers look like this and you can't wait for the next one."

Franklin on the atmosphere inside Merlis Belsher Place:

"First game as a Huskie. That was really cool. The fans really showed up, especially the student section."