After losing six consecutive games to start the season and winning just one of its first nine, the postseason seemed like it would be a pipe dream for the University of Regina's women's hockey team.

But after collecting seven points in their last four games, the Cougars still have a great shot at qualifying for the Canada West playoffs.

After losing two games to Manitoba – one of which was a heartbreaking last-minute loss – to start the second half of their schedule, the Cougars got back in the playoff hunt by taking three of a possible four points from the Lethbridge Pronghorns and scoring two crucial regulation wins over UBC.

With four games remaining on the conference schedule, three teams are in the hunt for the final two Canada West playoff berths. Saskatchewan (9-10-1) sits in third place with 19 points, UBC (7-12-1) is fourth with 15 points, while the Cougars (6-13-1) are just two points back of UBC with 13 points.

This weekend, the Cougars and the No. 9-ranked Huskies will square off in a rare afternoon series, with the teams playing in Saskatoon on Saturday before playing their sixth and final regular season game against each other on Sunday in Regina. The Huskies can nail down a playoff spot if they record at least two points this weekend. The Cougars desperately need a pair of wins and help from the out-of-town scoreboard, as UBC hosts No. 4-ranked Manitoba (17-2-1) on Friday and Saturday.

Heading into the weekend, the Cougars and the Huskies have met four times this season. Saskatchewan scored 6-1 and 10-2 wins over Regina to start off the conference schedule in early October, but the Cougars split a two-game series in Saskatoon in November.

Fifth-year forward Kara McGeough continues to lead the team in assists (13) and points (19), while Kelsie Graham has a team-high seven goals. The line of Paige Wheeler, Gina Campbell, and Rianne Wight broke out during the UBC series, as the trio combined for five goals during the team's critical two-game sweep over the Thunderbirds. Workhorse goalie Lisa Urban is shouldering the load between the pipes for the Cougars and has a 2.21 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage over the team's last four games.

For the Huskies, sniper Breanne George is far and away the team's most dangerous player. George, a second-year forward from Saskatoon, leads the team in goals (15), assists (16), points (31), and penalty minutes (25) despite missing two games earlier this season. Goalies Chauntal Armet and Lisa Lafreniere have both seen action for the Huskies in recent weeks.

The teams will meet at 2 p.m. at Rutherford Rink in Saskatoon on Saturday before coming back to Regina for a 2 p.m. start time on Sunday at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre.

NOTES: Entering the weekend, the Cougars hold a 32-11-2 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.