Box Score CALGARY – Chase Bertholet's two first-period goals set the tone for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, who defeated the Mount Royal University Cougars 5-3 on Saturday at Flames Community Arena.

Vaughn Watterodt opened the scoring for Mount Royal just 45 seconds after puck drop. The Rosetown, Sask. product jabbed at a loose puck during a wild scramble in the crease, forcing it across the goalline. 

However, the Huskies responded quickly. 

22 seconds after Watterodt's icebreaker, Bertholet slid in behind the MRU defence and collected a perfect stretch pass from rookie blueliner Ben Saunderson. Bertholet froze Cougars' netminder Shane Farkas with a headfake and slid the puck through the five-hole.

A couple of minutes after his equalizer, Bertholet scored another goal, catching the Cougars sleeping yet again.

"[Saskatchewan] came out aggressive, fast. We were just not as sharp," said Mount Royal head coach Bert Gilling. "Right off the bat, they wanted to push the envelope in terms of stretching their guys. Their intensity to start the game and our guys being a little sleepy, they were able to get behind our defenceman."

After the early flurry of goals, the two teams settled in. Saskatchewan took their 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

51 seconds into the second frame, Mount Royal levelled the score at two. Spencer Moe snuck in behind the Huskies unaccounted for, crashing the net and redirecting the puck with his skate.

But once again, the Cougars could not hold onto their momentum. Blown defensive coverage allowed Josh Pillar to be left all alone in front before sniping a wrist shot past Farkas' glove. 

Later in the second, Bowden Singleton went on a break, trying to shovel a shot through the legs of Huskies' goalie Nolan Maier. Although Singleton and the rest of his linemates celebrated, believing the puck had crossed the line, the officials waved it off.

The Cougars were able to make it right after the ensuing faceoff. Clay Hanus drove to the net with the puck and was stopped by Maier but Dawson Milliken could not be denied. Milliken's third of the season sent the game tied heading into the final 20 minutes.

The Cougars seemingly ran out of gas in the third and Saskatchewan pounced on them. Midway through the period, former MRU centreman Ethan Regnier got his third of the weekend.

Less than two minutes later, star rookie Connor Roulette added an insurance goal with a shot over the shoulder of Farkas.

Sloppy play had cost Mount Royal a chance to extend their winning streak to seven games. The defending Canada West champion Huskies had simply outclassed their counterpart.

"They defend well and know how to manage the game. They're defending champs for a reason," commented Gilling. "We were chasing the whole game and couldn't lock it down. We couldn't lock it down at two or three, and they got the fourth goal."

"A lesson for our group is: we have to defend better. We're not going to outscore our problems in games like this," continued Gilling.

The 5-3 setback marks the first time Mount Royal has suffered a regulation loss since November 7.

"It feels like we're in the middle of a playoff run right now, battling for positions. How can we have a slow start today with what's on the line? How do you give up five goals and all of them even strength? It's just not good enough," said Gilling, frustrated with the Cougars' play.

With the victory, Saskatchewan ties MRU with 30 points in the East Division; however, the Huskies hold two games in hand over the Cougars.

Next weekend, Mount Royal is back on the road to visit last-place Regina. Saskatchewan returns home to host Alberta as the playoffs inch closer.

All Canada West men's hockey action can be streamed live and on-demand on Canada West TV.