U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup: Saskatchewan upsets McGill to move on
FREDERICTON, N.B. (U SPORTS) – Kohl Bauml had a two-point night and Connor Cox scored the game-winning goal as the University of Saskatchewan Huskies defeated the McGill Redmen 4-1 in the fourth quarter-final game of the 2018 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup.
“It’s one game or go home…it’s a walk of shame for 364 days if you don’t get it done,” said Huskies head coach Dave Adolph when describing the intense atmosphere of the game.
The Huskies opened the scoring at 12:42 into the first period. Michael Sofillas finished off an impressive passing play just seconds into a 5-on-3 powerplay. The rest of the period stayed relatively even with the Huskies having the slight edge in shots 12-10.
Connor Cox cleaned up a rebound at the side of the McGill goal to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead just 1:03 into the second. Antoine Dufort-Plant finally broke through the Huskies tenacious defence on the power play, sliding the puck under goaltender Taran Kozun and just over the Saskatchewan goal line at 17:37. McGill took the edge in shots, 14-12, in the second. Sofillas left the game early in the period with an upper body injury.
Carson Stadnyk added an insurance goal off a wild deflection that floated past Louis-Philip Guidon and into the McGill net. Despite a few close calls, lots of physical play and high tensions between the two teams, the Huskies held on for the win. Bauml capitalized on a McGill turnover and added an empty-net goal in the final minute. Shots were 10-9 for McGill in the third.
“You learn from being here and it takes time to win at the national championship for a program like ours, “said McGill head coach Kelly Nobes.
McGill had the edge in the final shot total, 34-33.
“I can’t wait to see what this team does in the future,” said McGill captain Nathan Chiarlitti.
Players of the game were Kozun for the Huskies and Guidon for the Redmen. Kozun had 33 saves in the Huskies’ net while Guidon had 29 saves for the Redmen. Both netminders were playing their first career University Cup games.
“I’m just trying to do my best for the team,” said Kozun, when describing his performance.
The Huskies went 1-4 on the powerplay while the Redmen went 1-5. Logan McVeigh, Levi Campbell, Andrew Johnson, Jordan Fransoo and Josh Roach had assists for the Huskies. Maximilian Daigle, and Nathan Chiarlitti tallied assists for the Redmen.
The Huskies will now move on to play the Alberta Golden Bears in the semifinals Saturday.
“Perfect,” said Huskies captain Kendall McFaull when asked about the matchup against their Canada West rivals.
Game time is 3 p.m. ET. / 12 p.m. PT on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet NOW.
Players of the Game
SASKATCHEWAN: Taran Kozun
McGILL: Louis-Philip Guidon