Canada West Semi Final: Bailey scores two in Huskies win over Bisons

by Nicole Betker, USask Sports Information

Archive photo courtesy Ivan Tam / USask Athletics: Andrew Bailey had a three-point night for the victorious Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday night

SASKATOON - Three University of Saskatchewan goals in the first 11 minutes of the game put the Huskies en route to a 5-2 win over the Manitoba Bisons in Game 1 of a Canada West men's hockey semifinal Friday night at Saskatoon's Rutherford Rink.

With the win, the Huskies are 1-0 in the best-of-three semifinal. A series win would send the team to the Canada West Final against the winner of the University of Calgary-University of Alberta semifinal. The winner also receives one of two berths in the conference to the University Cup in Thunder Bay, Ont.

Manitoba-Saskatchewan, Game 1 stats

The Huskies top line provided the bulk of the offense. Rookie Andrew Bailey had two of the Huskies' goals and added a helper on the night, while captain Steven DaSilva finished with one goal and two assists. Kyle Bortis chipped in with two assists.

A scramble in front of the net resulted in Bailey's first goal of the period just 28 seconds into the game. The Huskies struck again at 2:59 when Brenden Dowd scored on a Steve Christie rebound in front of the net. Huskie leading scorer DaSilva beat Christie stick side on the power play at 10:22.

Manitoba got on the board at 17:19 when a Chad Erb shot from the point rang off the crossbar and fell into the net behind Huskie goaltender David Reekie. Bailey struck again with 1:28 left in the frame when he chipped the puck over Christie's stick and in.

With no scoring in the second period, Manitoba was the next to get on the board with a Kip Workman goal from the top of the faceoff circle that got through traffic and by Reekie five-hole. Travis Brisebois added an empty netter at 18:50 to seal the victory.

Christie made 32 saves in the loss, while Reekie stopped 28 for the Huskies in the win.

Game 2 is set for Saturday night. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. CT. Game 3, if necessary, will be Sunday at 7:00 p.m. All games will be webcast at: http://www.educationcdn.com/schools/huskies/