FRIDAY: vs. Saskatchewan, 7 p.m., The Co-operators Centre
The University of Regina women’s hockey team is set for its final Canada West regular season games this weekend, as the Cougars will battle the Saskatchewan Huskies in a home-and-home set. Friday’s contest will take place at The Co-operators Centre before Saturday’s rematch in Saskatoon.
Nothing has been set in stone for the Canada West playoff picture entering this weekend, as the Cougars could finish anywhere from first to fourth place. Regina is a point behind UBC for first place, and a point ahead of Alberta. Saskatchewan currently sits in fourth place but could work its way up as high as second with this weekend’s results.
“Even though we’ve clinched a home playoff game these ones are still pretty important to us – earning a first-round bye was one of our goals at the start of the season and we’re really close to that,” head coach Sarah Hodges said.
The Cougars split a weekend set at UBC last weekend, staying even with the T-Birds in the standings. UBC came out with a dominating 3-0 win on Friday but the Cougars responded with a 3-2 win on Saturday night. Jolene Kirkpatrick (pictured) scored her first career goal in the win, and Meghan Sherven and Alexis Larson also found the net. Toni Ross made the start in net on both nights, stopping 27 shots on Friday before making 26 saves on Saturday for her CIS-leading 16th win of the season.
Meanwhile, the Huskies also earned a split last weekend, beating Alberta 2-1 in their opener before falling 2-1 in double overtime in the rematch. Saskatchewan is led offensively by defenceman Julia Flinton who has piled up 20 assists to go along with her four goals from the blue line. Marley Ervine has eight goals and 14 assists, Kaitlin Willoughby has scored eight goals and added 10 assists, and Lauren Zary has accumulated eight goals and eight helpers.
Cassidy Hendricks has been the main feature in net for the Huskies, appearing in 22 games thus far. The fourth-year goaltender out of Vancouver has been excellent, posting a 2.15 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
The Cougars have the third and fourth-highest scoring players in the conference, as Kylie Gavelin has posted 10 goals and 15 assists and rookie Jaycee Magwood has notched 10 goals and 14 helpers. Emma Waldenberger has been a reliable source of offence, with a team-high 12 goals to her credit. Stephanie Sawchuk has also been productive as of late, totaling six goals and seven assists. Larson has the most points among Cougar defenders, with five goals and eight assists.
Ross continues to be one of the top netminders in the conference, third among goalies with a 1.84 GAA and second with a save percentage of .932. Her 16 wins this season shattered the previous U of R record of 12 and move her into the top spot on the school’s career wins list.
Hodges anticipates a good battle this weekend with the provincial rivals. “It’ll be important to remember what we set out to do; it’s come down to the final weekend against another good team so we’ll have to be on our game.”
NOTE: First and second place teams will receive a first round bye, while third and fourth will host a quarterfinal series.
Source: reginacougars.com