SASKATOON, Sask. - The U SPORTS No. 5-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies battled their way to a hard earned 3-2 shootout victory over the No. 2 UBC Thunderbirds on Friday (Nov. 28) night at Merlis Belsher Place. They overcame a pair of deficits, delivering two power play goals, and leaning on a stellar performance from goaltender Jordan Kooy to open the weekend with two crucial points in the Canada West standings.

UBC opened the scoring late in the first period when Cyle McNabb capitalized after a tight, physical opening period that saw both teams trade minor penalties, but limit high danger looks. Saskatchewan stayed composed despite the late goal and gradually took control of the pace as the game moved into the second.

The Huskies pressure paid off in the second period, fueled by a parade of UBC penalties. After sustained pressure on the man advantage, Chantz Petruic evened the score at 15:59 with his conference-leading 13th of the season, finishing a crisp passing sequence from Conner Roulette and Liam Keeler to bring the crowd at Merlis to life. Saskatchewan carried the momentum into the intermission, outshooting and out-chancing the Thunderbirds.

UBC briefly regained the lead early in the third when Jake Wright found the back of the net at 7:28, but once again Saskatchewan responded. With just under three minutes remaining, the Huskies' power play struck for the second time of the night. Liam Keeler buried a rebound off an initial chance created by Petruic and Landon Kosior to tie the game 2–2 at 17:23 and force overtime.

A fast paced over time period featured chances at both ends, but neither team found the winner, sending the contest to a shootout. Kooy turned aside all three UBC attempts, standing tall against Reilley Kotai, Ty Thorpe, and Jake Lee. On Saskatchewan's second attempt, Petruic delivered the decisive moment, slipping the puck past UBC's Brett Mirwald to secure the victory and the extra point for the Huskies.

Petruic and Keeler each finished the night with a goal and an assist, while Saskatchewan went 2-for-5 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Kooy, who exited the game briefly in the third before returning, provided a steady presence throughout and was flawless in the shootout.

With the victory, Saskatchewan improves its standing in a tight Canada West playoff race and will look to carry the momentum into the second half of the weekend set. The Huskies and Thunderbirds wrap up the series tomorrow (Nov. 29) night at Merlis Belsher Place, with puck drop scheduled for 5 PM (CST).