SASKATOON, Sask. — The University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Calgary Dinos wasted no time bringing the drama to the 2026-27 Canada West men's hockey season, putting on a seven-goal show at Merlis Belsher Place Friday night (Oct. 9).
On a night which saw the Huskies raise their 2025-26 Canada West banner, the Dinos controlled the scoreboard for much of the contest. However, Saskatchewan roared back with three-third period goals, capped off by a
Landon Kosior game-winner to take the season-opener 4-3.
It took the Huskies just 58 seconds to find the back of the net, with
Raphael Pelletier scoring the first goal of the Canada West men's hockey campaign. The fourth-year winger intercepted a pass just inside the Dino blueline before walking in and firing a wrist shot off the body of a Calgary defender and past goaltender Carl Tetachuk.
Saskatchewan's lead did not last long however as the Dinos struck back just under four minutes later with a score from Jake Poole.
Despite some fantastic chances for the Huskies, including a 3-on-2 opportunity and flurry of quality attempts on a late powerplay, Tetachuk held his ground to keep things tied heading into the locker room.
The Calgary goalie would finish the game with 28 saves on 32 shots faced.
Returning to the ice, the second period continued the back-and-forth affair.
Early in the frame Saskatchewan gave the Dinos a perfect opportunity to take the lead, sending the visitors to a 5-on-3 man advantage. The Huskie penalty kill held firm though, allowing just two shots on net to swing momentum back in favour of the home team.
Seconds later a Dinos penalty sent the Huskies to the power play, however the Dogs would be unable to capitalize.
Soon after, the period saw yet another momentum shift as Calgary's Logan Hauer took off on a breakaway beating Maier top shelf for the Dinos first lead of the night.
Despite facing just 16 shots on the night, it was a busy contest for Maier who was often forced into situations requiring quality stops from the seasoned goaltender.
Coming out of the second break down a goal, Saskatchewan continued to press the attack.
Midway through the period, Saskatchewan was back on the advantage, however it would be the Dinos who added to their lead. Stephen Kirkpatrick managed to gain possession and a step on the Dogs, once again producing a Dino score off the rush.
The power play was not all bad for the home team though, as 69 seconds later Pelletier found
Keaton Sorensen uncovered on the back door for a tap-in goal, cutting the deficit back to one.
A few minutes later, Saskatchewan yet again returned to the power play, this time with a 5-on-3 chance of their own.
Unlike the Dinos earlier in the contest, Saskatchewan did not waste their golden opportunity to tie things up.
Chase Bertholet took a skate around the offensive zone before passing to Kosior who sent a one-touch feed to
Carter Stebbings for the equalizer.
As time ran down in the third, Pelletier and rookie
Jaydon Dureau wrestled a puck out of the corner, finding Kosior alone in slot with a wide-open net sitting in front of him. The fourth-year blueline made no mistake, beating the diving Tetachuk for what would be the game-winner.
After the dramatic season-opener, Saskatchewan and Calgary will return to the ice at Merlis Belsher Place Saturday evening (Oct. 10) to wrap up opening weekend. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM CST.
