Reigning CIS Athlete of the Week George scores another hat trick to lead Huskies to win

by Nicole Betker, USask Sports Information

Archive photo courtesy Ivan Tam / USask Athletics: Breanne George picked up another five points, including a hat trick, to assume the Canada West scoring lead and help the Huskies clinch a playoff spot

SASKATOON - Canada West leading goal-scorer Breanne George added three to her tally in a 7-1 University of Saskatchewan Huskies win over the visiting UBC Thunderbirds Friday night in Saskatoon's Rutherford Rink.

George's goals tallied three of the five points she scored in the game. She now sits on top in the Canada West scoring race with 39 points and has a league-leading 24 goals. Linemates Kelsey Tulloch and Julie Paetsch also had multiple point nights each scoring a goal and three assists.

With the win the No. 7 ranked Huskies move to 16-5-3 on the season and continue to make a bid to catch the Manitoba Bisons for second place in the conference standings. UBC drops 7-13-1. They remain one point back of the fourth and final playoff spot.

Saskatchewan's power play was strong in the game scoring on three of eight power plays in the game. UBC was 0-for-6 with the man advantage.

Veteran Huskie Shaye Christiansen, the all-time Canada West leader in conference games played, opened the scoring for the Huskies on the power play at 6:53 in the first period. Tulloch added her goal just under six minutes later at 12:38 in the same frame. George opened the scoring in the second period on the power play at 12:31. Second-year Danny Stone gave the Huskies a 4-0 lead at 14:37. Paetsch scored at 16:25 and George added her second at 19:00 for the 6-0 lead to end the second period. Paetsch's goal chased UBC starting goalie Katie Schertzer from the net.

George struck again in the third period on the power play at 9:14. UBC's Jocelyn Marren ended Huskie veteran netminder Vanessa Frederick's bid for the shutout at 17:14 in the third period.

Frederick made 19 saves in the game for the Huskies, Schertzer made 15 saves before Melinda Choy took over the UBC net. Choy made six saves in her 23 minutes in the game.

The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Rutherford. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. CT.