Jenelle Zapski notched a first-half hat-trick to lead the Saskatchewan Huskies to a 3-1 win over the University of Regina Cougars in the final Canada West regular season game on Sunday.
Zapski got off to a fast start, with an unassisted goal in the first minute to propel the Huskies to a very early 1-0 lead. She continued her assault on the Cougars back line, with goals in the 36th and 40th minutes. Ali Goodman assisted on Zapski's second goal. With the three goals, Zapski extended her lead in the Canada West scoring standings, bumping her total up to 14 goals on the season.
Regina's only goal of the afternoon was scored by rookie
Brianna Wright in the 36th minute. The goal marked the first of Wright's Canada West career, and narrowed the Huskie lead to 2-1 before Zapski scored again four minutes later.
The loss drops Regina to 5-5-2 on the season and leaves them in fifth place, five points out of a playoff spot. Saskatchewan improves to 7-2-3 and vaults into second place in the Prairie Division, securing a home playoff game.
Wright had three shots on net to lead the Cougars in that category.
Racquel Marshall, who assisted on Wright's goal, had a shot on net as did
Sarah Moroziuk.
Kacey McFee made 10 saves on the 13 shots that she faced. Rookie
Ashton Lowry also saw action in goal, and stopped the only shot she faced in 11 minutes.
Cara Santaga made three saves for the Huskies. Zapski registered the most shots for the Huskies with four.
The contest also marked the last game with the Cougars for fifth-year players
Molly Glass,
Melanie King and
Jayde McFee (pictured). Glass finishes her career tied for second in school history with four career assists. She also had five goals in her five-year career with the team.
King is a two-time Academic All-Canadian and finishes her career with a goal and two assists in 48 career games played.
Jayde McFee is a four-time Academic All-Canadian and tallied four goals and four assists in 56 career games.