Game Location: 7pm, Rutherford Rink
Webcast: canadawest.tv
THE GAMES
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies begin their journey to the 2016 Canada West Championship on home ice when they face off against the University of Manitoba Bisons at Rutherford Rink this weekend.
THE HEADLINES
- Saskatchewan will host the first round for the first time since 2013-14.
- Fifth-year Huskie Julia Flinton led all CIS defenceman with 26 points this season. Flinton is fourth in conference scoring and leads all CIS blue liners by 8 points.
- Saskatchewan posted a 9-5 record at home this season. Manitoba was 7-7 away from home.
THE SERIES
It’s the first post-season meeting between the two schools since the 2010 playoffs. The Bisons took that series 2-1 in Winnipeg. The teams split the season series in 2015-16. At Rutherford Rink the Huskies won 3-2 in double overtime before falling 3-1 the next night to the Bisons.
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA BISONS (13-13-0-2)
The Manitoba Bisons come into Saskatchewan looking to upset the Huskies on home ice.
Manitoba went 4-8 down the final stretch of the season, but still finished a respectable fifth place in the final standings.
Alanna Sharman was the leading scorer in the regular season for the Bisons with 10 goals and 12 assists. Four of Sharman’s eight goals were scored on special teams. Karissa Kirkup scored two of her four goals this season in one game against the Huskies.
Rachel Dyck posted an 8-12-1 record in 21 games in net. Dyck had a goals against average of 2.03 and a .911 save percentage in the regular season.
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN HUSKIES (11-9-3-5)
Saskatchewan will look to use home ice to their advantage this weekend, hosting the Canada West playoffs for the first time since 2013-14. The Huskies finished 9-5 on home ice this season.
The Huskies closed the season strong against a pair of tough opponents. Saskatchewan managed to pick up eight points in its final four games against Alberta and Regina.
Defenceman Julia Flinton led the Huskies with 26 points this season. The fifth-year blue liner was eight points ahead of all other CIS defenceman and finished the season 10th overall in the national scoring race.
Goaltender Cassidy Hendricks went 12-7-5 in 24 games this season. Hendricks posted a 2.13 goals against average and a .914 save percentage for Saskatchewan.
Source: huskies.usask.ca