Box Score Game Summary
The University of Regina's men's hockey team bounced back to record a 2-1 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday night in a Canada West game at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre.
Carter Smith broke a 1-1 tie just before the eight-minute mark of the third period, scoring what would turn out to be the game-winning goal on a backhander from in tight following a goalmouth scramble.
"Tonight was our grittiest effort of the season," Cougars head coach
Blaine Sautner said following the game. "That 60 minutes is what we've been waiting for the last five games, and we finally got it tonight in Game 6. We've got a lot of bumps and bruises, but that's the price you've got to pay to win games in this conference."
Brant Hilton was nothing short of spectacular all night long for the Cougars, ending up with 37 saves on the night. He was beaten just once during the contest, as Steven DaSilva finished off a 3-on-2 with a shot to Hilton's blocker side. DaSilva's goal, which tied the game at one, came just following the six-minute mark of the third.
Regina's win, which comes just 24 hours after being shut out by a score of 6-0 by the Huskies in Saskatoon, improves the Cougars' record to 2-4-0 on the season. Saskatchewan falls to 1-3-0 with the loss.
Mark Nelson opened up the scoring four minutes into the first period, as he beat Saskatchewan goalie Jeff Harvey with a snap shot from the slot that grazed the cross bar before going in. The goal was Nelson's first of his CIS career.
Harvey ended up saving 21 of Regina's 23 shots during the contest. David Reekie relieved Harvey for a brief period in the second as the Saskatchewan starter tended to an equipment problem.
Though the game was a fast-skating, hard-hitting affair, only 14 minutes in penalties were dished out by the referees. Saskatchewan was 0-for-5 on the power play, while the Cougars failed to score on both of their man advantages.
The Cougars will have a weekend off before returning to the ice on Oct. 30 and 31 at Calgary, while Saskatchewan will play a pair of road games at Alberta next weekend.
