The University of Regina women's hockey team opened the Canada West regular season with a thrilling 3-2 win over the hometown Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night.

Emma Waldenberger, Shaelyn Vallotton and Bailey Braden (pictured) scored for the Cougars. Chloe Smith and Bailee Bourassa replied for the Huskies. 

Scoring Summary
After the Huskies opened the scoring just 1:19 after puck drop, Regina stormed back to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission. Waldenberger's high wrist shot and Vallotton's first U SPORTS goal put the Cougars on top before Bourassa evened it up early in the second. Braden's goal was the result of some impressive hustle from Martina Maskova, who chased down a Huskie defender and dove to knock the puck away. Braden was trailing the play and scooped it up before firing a wicked wrist shot past the glove of Jasey Book.

Special Team Factor
The Cougar special teams were excellent on Friday, as Waldenberger's first-period goal came on the only Cougar powerplay of the night, and the Cougars killed off all four Huskies advantages. Furthermore, Braden's game winner came as the Cougars were shorthanded off a great hustle play from Maskova.

Shutting the Door
Jane Kish was impressive in the Cougar goal, stopping 42 shots in total and holding off a Huskie attack that outshot the Cougars 14-2 in the third period. Saskatchewan outshot the Cougars in every period, totalling 44 for the game compared to the Cougars' 18.

Same Teams, Different Rink
The Cougars and Huskies will square off again on Saturday night, this time at The Co-operators Centre in Regina. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the Cougars will go for the sweep.