SASKATOON, Sask. - Veteran forward Vince Loschiavo recorded the first hattrick of his Huskie career to lead the U SPORTS No. 7-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies to a convincing 6-0 victory over the MacEwan Griffins Friday night (Nov. 29) at Merlis Belsher Place.  

The Dogs were quick out of the gate, with Vince Loschiavo finding the back of the net just 2:42 into the opening period. Rhett Rhinehart picked up the primary assist on the game's first goal, springing Loschiavo on a fast-break rush before the business major netted his fourth of the season.

The Huskies kept the pressure on the visiting Griffins throughout the first period adding two more goals scored by Loschiavo, on a tipped shot from Gunner Kinniburgh, and Dawson Holt. Holt's score came on another tipped shot from the point, this time with Chantz Petruic picking up the primary helper. After picking up a goal and an assist in the Huskie win, Holt takes over sole possession of the conference's point race with 22 on the season (7 G, 15 A). Petruic follows closely behind in a tie for fourth with 18 through 14 games. 

Despite the lopsided score, MacEwan goaltender Brett Epp made key saves doing his best to keep the Bird-Lions in the game. The netminder would finish the game with 24 saves on 30 shot attempts. 

Late in the second, Jarrett Penner and Ben Tkachuck would set up the game's fourth goal as second-year Red Deer product Keaton Sorensen found the back of the net for his second of the season.

In net for the Huskies, netminder Roddy Ross was perfect on the night, turning aside 30 Griffin shots for his second shutout this year. The former Regina Pat and 2019 6th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers now owns a 2.24 goals against average and .928 save percentage in seven starts. 

For Saskatchewan's fifth goal of the game it was Liam Keeler's turn to get on the scoreboard, redirecting a shot from former Saskatoon Blades captain Trevor Wong. The Huskies spread the ink around the scoresheet Friday as Keeler became the fourth goal scorer on the night which saw 12 Dogs record a point. 

Following Keeler's score to send the game into blowout territory, Loschiavo returned to the scoresheet with his sixth this season. It was arguably the most draw-dropping goal of the game as forward Josh Pillar fed a cross-ice pass trough traffic to set up the natural hattrick. 

The win for the Huskies keeps the team in second-place in the Canada West East division with an 11-4-0 record, and following an Alberta loss to the MRU Cougars Friday, the gap to the division-leading Golden Bears now stands at just two points. 

The Huskies and Griffins meet for game two of their weekend series on Saturday, Nov. 30th, with puck drop set for 5:00 PM CST at Merlis Belsher Place. Fans are encouraged to participate in the toque and mitt toss tomorrow night, with donations going to local students. Get your tickets at HuskieTickets.com.

Fans unable to attend can watch live on CanadaWest.tv or listen at HuskieFAN.ca.