SASKATOON, Sask. - Back on home ice for the first time in three weeks, the U SPORTS No. 2-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies captured a division-clinching victory in a tightly contested game against the Manitoba Bisons Friday night (Feb. 14).

Keaton Sorensen scored with 6:51 remaining in the second period to secure the 2-1 victory for the Dogs who, with the win, jump the Alberta Golden Bears for the top spot in the Canada West East Division. With a one-point advantage and their Alberta rivals on a bye week to close out the season, the Huskies clinch the division crown and guarantee themselves an opening round bye and home semifinal series in the Canada West playoffs. 

The home victory also puts Saskatchewan in a strong position to secure first-place in the conference and claim home ice through the duration of the postseason. The Huskies can clinch just that with another win over the Bisons tomorrow which would set them ahead of the West Division leading Mount Royal Cougars. A loss would not end their hopes of a No. 1 overall seed either, as the Huskies would need to maintain their advantage in goal differential over the Cougars (currently 57 to 51) to finish ahead of the Calgary based team. 

Friday night saw the Huskies come out onto the ice seemingly determined to capture the division crown, controlling puck possession and earning a decisive advantage in high-danger scoring opportunities. The Bisons however, saw a few strong chances of their own, including an early breakaway that was calmly saved and played away by Saskatchewan netminder Roddy Ross. 

Ross made several difficult saves throughout the contest as the conference's best goalie statistically had another impressive outing making 20 saves. With just a single goal allowed, his save percentage also dipped below 2.00, to 1.99, nearly meeting is career best of 1.96 from last season. 

Just past the midway point of the period, a Manitoba shot was redirected by Ross and onto the stick of Liam Keeler who found Chase Bertholet streaking down the ice. Bertholet, who joined the Huskies over the winter break, raced down the ice before firing a shot glove-side and past Bison goaltender Braden Holt to open the scoring.

The second would see a tightly-contested frame with the Huskie advantage in possession not nearly as severe as the first. Despite the Bisons strong play, an offensive zone turnover forced by Keaton Sorensen would see Dawson Holt take the puck low before finding an open Sorensen in front of the Bison net. A quick shot from the Red Deer, AB, product would see the Saskatchewan lead double midway through the second. 

With 3:51 left to play in the second, Manitoba's Michael King would end Ross' shutout and pull the game back to within one. 

However, that would be all the scoring fans in attendance would see, with opposing goalies locking play down with stellar saves at both ends of the ice. For Manitoba's Holt, he would finish the game 32 saves on 34 shot attempts for a strong road performance. 

The two teams will be back on the ice at Merlis Belsher Place tomorrow for the final game of the regular season. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM, with the contest also serving as Saskatchewan's "Senior Night" where they will recognize the contributions of two players set to graduate following the 2025 postseason. Catch all the Huskie action on CanadaWest.tv, presented by BioSteel, or head to HuskieFAN.ca for radio broadcasts of USask hockey.