The University of Regina men's hockey team couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling 5-0 to the Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday night at Merlis Belsher Place in a U-Prairie Challenge matchup presented by SaskMilk.

Saskatchewan struck twice in the opening five minutes before adding two more goals to take a 4-0 lead into the first intermission. Liam Keeler, Jaydon Dureau, Raphael Pelletier and Keaton Sorensen scored for the Huskies in the opening period.

The Cougars regrouped to keep Saskatchewan off the scoresheet in the second, but Chase Bertholet added a power-play goal at 18:30 of the third period to seal the win.

Goaltender Damon Cunningham made 23 saves before Ross Hawryluk came on in relief, stopping 15 shots over the final 20 minutes. Regina finished with 19 shots on goal compared to Saskatchewan's 43.

NEXT UP

The Cougars head to Vancouver to face the UBC Thunderbirds on Friday, Oct. 30. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.