FRIDAY: vs. Saskatchewan, 7:00 p.m. (The Co-operators Centre)

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The University of Regina women's hockey team will play its final home game of the Canada West season as part of a home-and-home against the Saskatchewan Huskies this weekend.

The Cougars (6-8-10-2) will host the Huskies on Friday before heading to Saskatoon for Saturday's conference finale. The Huskies head into the weekend with a 9-4-10-3 record, just two points ahead of the Cougars for fifth place in Canada West.

Both teams are guaranteed a playoff position, with this weekend possibly shaking up playoff matchups. Depending on how the rest of the conference matchups go this weekend, the Cougars could see UBC, Calgary or Manitoba in the Canada West quarterfinals.

Head coach Sarah Hodges doesn't expect much difference in the way the team will approach the provincial rivalry this weekend. "I don't think it's any different for the girls, if there's anything new it'll be wanting to play well in Triston Riemer's last regular season games."

Riemer is this year's lone fifth-year athlete, and will be honoured by the team before Friday's game.

Regina is coming off a split with Mount Royal University, after losing 3-1 last Friday and rebounding for a 3-2 overtime win on Saturday. Saskatchewan also split last weekend, winning 3-2 before falling 2-1 against Lethbridge.

Mallory Roy scored her first goal as a Cougar on Friday, intercepting a pass in the MRU zone and snapping a quick shot past the goaltender's glove. The Cougars came back from a 2-0 deficit on Saturday, thanks to goals from Kelly Regnier and Stephanie Sawchuk as well as an overtime winner by Riemer.

"I thought we dominated the play both nights but didn't shoot smart," Hodges added. "Our comeback was a result of playing smarter and sticking to the things that have made us successful this season."

Kylie Gavelin notched two assists on Saturday, bumping her team-leading point total to 18. Sawchuk, Riemer and Emma Waldenberger are tied for second on the team with 12 points each. 

Toni Ross took the loss in net on Friday night, bumping her record to 6-7-1. Ross has posted a .927 save percentage and a 2:24 goals-against average this season. Jennifer Schmidt got the call on Saturday and ended up with the win, making her record 7-3-1. Schmidt has a save percentage of .915 and a GAA of 2.46.

Saskatchewan is led by Kaitlin Willoughby, who has registered nine goals and 22 points on the campaign. Kandace Cook is second on the team in points, and has netted 10 goals for the Huskies.

Cassidy Hendricks has started all but one game in net for the Huskies and has posted a 13-10-2 record. She also has a .928 save percentage and a 2.15 goals-against average. 

"We'll need to have the same attitude as the last couple of weekends," Hodges said. "Hopefully we play well and will be in top form come playoff time."

Both games this weekend are set for 7 p.m.