Kaitlin Willoughby's hat trick powered the Saskatchewan Huskies to a 4-3 win over the University of Regina women's hockey team in Game 1 of a Canada West semifinal series at Rutherford Rink on Friday night.

Kori Herner added what turned out to be the game-winner in the third period, as the Huskies took a 1-0 series lead. Merissa Zerr, Tamara McVannel and Jaycee Magwood (pictured) replied for the Cougars.

After a scoreless first period, Willoughby opened the scoring with an impressive short-handed effort, banging in a backhanded shot from the circle. Zerr answered for the Cougars on the same powerplay, deflecting a feed from Bailey Braden upstairs past Cassidy Hendricks.

The Cougars went back to the powerplay just 23 seconds later after a Kira Bannatyne hooking penalty, and struck again just over a minute into the advantage. McVannel unleashed a low shot from the point that snuck under the pad of a screened Hendricks, putting the Cougars up 2-1. Kylie Gavelin assisted on the goal.

Special teams continued to be the story as Willoughby netted her second of the period on the powerplay, taking a pass from Brooke Patron and beating Jane Kish. The fourth-year forward scored again at the 4:52 mark of the third period, picking up a loose puck in the slot and ripping a huge slapshot past the glove of Kish.

Herner beat Kish to the same spot with a wrist shot off a Cougar turnover exactly two minutes later to put Saskatchewan up 4-2 off assists from Patron and Courtney Cormack.

The Cougars couldn't manage to get a lot going towards the Huskie net in the third until Magwood stole the puck behind the Saskatchewan goal and wheeled out in front, beating Hendricks with a high wrist shot to the blocker side.

Regina had a great chance to tie with Kish on the bench for an extra attacker, but Gavelin couldn't get a handle on the puck and when she did her shot was deflected high over the glass. Zerr was sent off for a trip with 31 seconds left, squashing any hopes of an equalizer.

Kish made 25 saves in the loss, while Hendricks stopped 28 shots for Saskatchewan.

The Cougars and Huskies will face off in Game 2 on Saturday night, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Rutherford Rink.