SASKATOON, Sask. - Regina's Kaitlyn Gilroy scored with 5:46 remaining in the third period to lift the Cougars over the Saskatchewan Huskies Saturday night (Oct. 5) at Merlis Belsher Place. In the two team's second meeting in as many days, it was once again a tightly contested game between the provincial rivals. Regina now earns two wins to start the season while the Huskies drop to 0-1-1. The win also gives the Cougars the lead in the U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk, with Regina leading 4-2 through five games of the annual competition. 

It was a slow start to the game in the opening period, with the Cougars and Huskies combing for just 12 shots. Despite both team receiving first period powerplay opportunities, goaltenders Emma Backman and Natalie Williamson were able to keep the scoresheet clean. Backman, a second-year kinesiology student, impressed in her first career start turning aside 17 shots for a .944 save percentage. At the other end of the ice, Williamson stopped 23 shots, including 11 in the third, to earn the shutout. 

Another scoreless period in the second frame saw neither team able to generate any high-danger scoring opportunities with stout defense being played at both ends. THe best chance of the period came on another Huskie powerplay where the home team recorded three shots on net with the advantage.

Despite drawing four penalties in the game, the Saskatchewan powerplay was unable to find the back of the net, with the Regina penalty kill goign a perfect four-for-four. 

The tie would eventually be broken late in third after Kaitlyn Gilroy sent a wrist shot high to Emma Backman's blocker, narrowly beating the goalie for the go-ahead goal. Despite a late flurry of shots from the Huskies, who had a 6-on-4 for the final few minutes thanks to a penalty and the goalie pulled, the Cougars would escape with the win and weekend sweep.

NEXT UP
The Huskies will continue a six-game home stand to open the season next weekend as they host the Calgary Dinos in another weekend doubleheader. Season and individual Huskie hockey tickets are available at huskietickets.com.