Box Score
SASKATOON, SASK. – The Huskies are the top dog in the West.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars 3-0 to win the 2024-25 Canada West Men's Hockey Championship on Sunday.

The victory marks Saskatchewan's first conference title since 2019-20. Sunday's result also keeps Mount Royal without their first-ever Canada West Championship.

Despite the loss in game three, Mount Royal was all over the Huskies, especially in the first period.

The Cougars forecheck caused them to see a few dangerous chances but Saskatchewan netminder Roddy Ross stepped up to shut the door.

Two full periods went by and neither team had a goal to show for their efforts. Although Mount Royal had more chances, the score remained 0-0 after 40 minutes.

Each team was waiting for their favourable bounce. Halfway through the third period, the Huskies got theirs.

Saskatchewan veteran Vince Loschiavo carried the puck across the MRU line, sizing up Cougar defenceman Michael Ladyman. Loschiavo let a shot go, with the puck ricocheting off Ladyman's stick causing it to float and flutter into the Mount Royal net.

The Huskies had a 1-0 lead, whether they deserved it or not.

Four minutes later, former Cougar Ethan Regnier made it 2-0 for Saskatchewan.

Ty Prefontaine added an empty netter to seal the 3-0 win for the Huskies.

Though the Cougars had fallen short, they left it all out on the ice.

"I think we deserved better as a group," said MRU captain Kyle Walker. "It sucks. I think some bounces didn't go our way. I think the first goal was pretty self-explanatory for that."

Mount Royal head coach Bert Gilling summed up the team's struggles in game three with a simple, yet profound statement. 

"You can't win if you don't score," said Gilling.

Although the Cougars fell short of their first Canada West Championship, their season is not over. They are set to participate in the University Cup in Ottawa starting March 20.

But that's not front of the team's mind right now. This one hurts.

"I take no consolation with the fact we're going to Nationals. I can't speak for the players but right now it feels like our season just ended," continued Gilling.

Losing sucks. However, this Mount Royal team had done something that's never happened in program history: making it to the Canada West Finals and earning a spot in the University Cup. Though it stings so much right now, the team will use it as motivation for their upcoming competition.

As the Huskies were awarded their gold medals and the championship trophy, Kyle Walker remained on the ice to watch the celebrations despite the pain he was feeling. The moment was a sign of respect but also motivation.
 

"[Motivation] is exactly what I use it for. It's a respect thing at the same time. They're a hell of a hockey team. They worked their butts off all season too to hoist the trophy. Seeing that and keeping that image in my head of us being on the wrong side of it is fuel. I want to be a champion before I leave Mount Royal," said Walker.