SASKATOON, Sask. – Despite outshooting the Regina Cougars 23–4 in the final 20 minutes, the Saskatchewan Huskies' third-period comeback fell just short in a 5–4 loss to their visiting provincial rivals Friday night (Jan. 30) at Merlis Belsher Place.

Trailing 5–2 heading into the third, Saskatchewan mounted an impressive push in the final frame, with Chantz Petruic and Liam Keeler scoring the third and fourth goals for the Huskies. However, the Dogs were unable to solve Cougars netminder Damon Cunningham for the all-important equalizer. Despite surrendering four goals, Cunningham turned in a strong performance, stopping 46 of the 50 shots he faced and making several key saves in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Offensively, it marked the first time the Cougars scored five goals in a game since recording a 5–4 road win over Mount Royal on November 14, 2025. The result not only marked Regina's first win over Saskatchewan this season, but also their first victory against the Huskies since a 7–4 decision on January 14, 2022. Regina improves to 4–19–0, though remains at the bottom of the Canada West East Division.

The loss drops Saskatchewan's record to 16–5–2, as the Huskies remain tied with the Calgary Dinos for second place in the East. Both teams trail Mount Royal by two points for the top spot.

After surrendering the opening goal in each of their last four matchups, Saskatchewan found themselves on the back foot once again against Regina. The Cougars capitalized early, as an unfortunate turnover led to Kade Runke converting his first goal of the season just over two minutes into the opening frame.

Later in the period, a successful Cougars penalty kill briefly preserved the lead, but the Huskies carried that momentum back to five-on-five play. A point shot from Mac Gross found the stick of Cade Hayes, who tipped home the equalizer to make it 1-1. Regina responded late in the frame, however, as Jordan Borysiuk sniped his first of the season past Jordan Kooy to give the visitors a 2–1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Early in the second period, Huskies captain Gunner Kinniburgh netted his first of the season with a seeing-eye point shot that slipped through the five-hole of an unsuspecting Cunningham, tying the game at two.
Undeterred, Regina rallied with three unanswered goals in the remainder of the period, with the first coming off the stick of Brayden Barnett, prompting Ethan Maier to relieve Kooy in goal. But the Cougars quickly solved Maier as well, with Rylan Silzer doubling the lead four minutes later before Eric Pearce added a power-play marker to make it 5–2 after 40 minutes.

Down by three, the Huskies looked to spark some life early in the third. Petruic answered the call just over two minutes in, sniping a shot off the rush past Cunningham. Petruic's 17th goal of the season places the fifth-year forward atop the Canada West in goals and fourth nationally across U SPORTS.

Saskatchewan continued to press midway through the frame, as Keeler picked up the puck in the Huskies' end and burst through the neutral zone before beating Cunningham five-hole to pull the Dogs within one.
Despite deploying the extra attacker in the final minute and generating a flurry of chances, Keeler's goal was as close as the Huskies would come, failing to complete the comeback and falling 5–4.

Game two of the home-and-home weekend set goes Saturday night (Jan. 31) in Regina, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m.