SASKATOON, SK – Saskatchewan welcomed a tough team to Merlis Belsher Place on Friday night, as the fourth place Huskies took on the second place Alberta Pandas in Canada West regular season action. The Pandas would take the 1-0 win, improving to 17-5-1 and keeping their second-place spot in the Canada West standings.
 
Starting lineup for Saskatchewan included Brooklyn Stevely, Emily Holmes, Kelsey Hall, Sophie Lalor, and Paris Oleksyn, with Colby Wilson getting the start in net. Wilson would go 20 for 21 tonight in net. Alberta went with Taylor Anker, Hayleigh Craig, Brooklyn Tews, Natalie Keiser, and Payton Laumbach as their starting five. Halle Oswald would get the shutout for the Pandas in net, going 19 for 19. 
 
It was a slow start to the game, as neither team would find the net. Saskatchewan would hit the penalty box twice in the period, giving Alberta powerplay opportunities. The Pandas couldn't capitalize on the powerplays, and the period would end with a score of 0-0.
 
The second period proved to be a defensive battle, as both teams looked to put points up on the board. The Pandas would find themselves in penalty trouble, heading to the box four times the period. The Huskies looked to take advantage of the powerplays but would be shut down by Oswald, who would end the night with nineteen saves for the Pandas. 
 
At 12:36 into the third period, the Pandas would finally get one past Wilson, with Cassidy Maplethorpe scoring the lone goal of the game, with assists from Sara Kazeil and Abby Soyko. The Huskies offence would hit hard late in the period, looking to get the equalizer but it was Alberta's night as they took home the win. 
 
The Huskies sit at 12-8-3-1 and maintain fourth place in the Canada West standings. Game two of the weekend series is on Saturday night at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available at huskietickets.com.