Huskies send Thunderbirds packing in intense rivalry clash

Chloe Smith is mobbed by her linemates after scoring the series winning goal for the Huskies.

    It was a game that possibly foreshadowed a passing of the torch.

    In an intense rivalry clash against the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, the leader of today and maybe the leader of the future gave the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team an emotional and hard fought victory at the ancient Rutherford Rink on Saturday afternoon.

    Captain Kaitlin Willoughby and rookie centre Chloe Smith delivered clutch second period goals to erase a 1-0 deficit and deliver the Huskies to a 2-1 victory in Game 2 of a Canada West semifinal series.

Kaitlin Willoughby had a big power-play goal.

    With the win, the Huskies sweep the best-of-three set 2-0. They advance to the best-of-three Canada West Championship series to play the winner of the other conference semifinal between the host University of Manitoba Bisons and the defending U Sports national champion University of Alberta Pandas. The Pandas lead that best-of-three series 1-0 going into play today.
    Between the regular season and playoffs, the Huskies won all six head-to-head meetings with the Thunderbirds.

    The Huskies also earn a berth into the U Sports national championship tournament to be held March 15 to 18 hosted by the University of Western Ontario Mustangs in London, Ont.

    “It feels pretty good,” said Smith. “Words can’t do it justice right now.

    “I think we are all pretty excited. We got in the spot that we wanted to be this year in second place. We battled through and finished off UBC, so I think everyone is pretty excited right now.”

    The Huskies victory over the Thunderbirds on Saturday was similar to a rivalry game from the Western Hockey League in the 1980s. There were all sorts of battles all over the ice, big hits, beaks and dives from the visitors.

    “We actually talked a bit before the game about our mental attitude,” said Willoughby about dealing with the intensity of the rivalry. “We have to stay positive.

    “Every so often we just have to check our emotions on the bench and say, “How are we feeling right now?” We have to make sure that we are staying positive, because when you think positive, I’m a believer that positive things will happen.

Saturday’s clash between the Huskies and Thunderbirds had a few hits.

    “That was our saying constantly. We just had to help each other out. From the beginning, we did that, and that is how we got through today. It was a battle out there. That was probably one of the hardest hockey games I’ve ever playing in my life.”

    Despite all the extra-curricular activities, the Thunderbirds, who won the last two straight Canada West titles, came out flying in the opening 15 minutes of the first period. At the 10:38 mark of the opening frame, Thunderbirds fifth-year defender Alexa Ranahan scored with a point shot through a screen to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

    With 8:33 to play in the first, the Thunderbirds held an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. The Huskies started to build momentum near the end of the frame working on a four-minute power play due to the fact Thunderbirds fifth-year left-winger Kathleen Cahoon received a double minor for butt ending a U of S player with her stick.

Jessica Vance made 27 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Huskies.

    The Huskies didn’t score on that power play but held and 11-9 edge in shots on goal after the frame.

    Smith said the Huskies coaches settled things down in the first period.

    “I think everyone just had a lot of nerves,” said Smith. “We were up one game.

    “UBC was kind of getting under our skin a little bit. Our coaches came in and told the girls look, just calm down and play our game. We know how to play and that is what we did, so that is what changed for the second period and the third.”

    In the second, Willoughby and Smith delivered their heroic moments.

    At the 11:20 mark of the second, Willoughby one-timed a power-play goal from the left wing boards past Thunderbirds netminder Amelia Boughn to make the crowd at the Rutherford erupt. The Prince Albert, Sask., product’s goal tied things up at 1-1.

Emma Nutter had a big third period hit for the Huskies.

    Just over three minutes later, Smith drove into the offensive zone and blew home what would turn out to be the winning goal to give the Huskies a 2-1 lead.

    In the final seconds of the second, Huskies netminder Jessica Vance robbed Thunderbirds right-winger Cassandra Vilgrain to preserve the one-goal edge for the host side.

    “That first period was not a good period for us hockey wise and mental wise,” said Huskies head coach Steve Kook. “They pulled it together.

    “We have a heck of leadership group over there. Whatever they said and whatever they found within themselves to calm down or just play hockey, that is the female game.

    “You can get wrapped up in a whole bunch of stuff, but if you take care of the puck, then things generally work out, and that is what we did.”

    The intensity hit big heights in the third, but Vance held the fort making 27 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Huskies. Fourth-year netminder Amelia Boughn turned away 25 shots to take the setback in goal for the Thunderbirds.

A scrum breaks out at the end of the game in front of the Huskies goal.

    The physical play kept up as Thunderbirds fourth-year centre Logan Boyd hit Huskies fifth-year defender Kira Bannatyne early in the third, and Huskies physical third-year defender Emma Nutter wiped out Cahoon near the midway point of the frame.

    As the clock ticked to zero, a huge scrum developed in front of the Huskies goal, which included Willoughby exchanging words with Thunderbirds centre Mathea Fischer.

    Smith said the Huskies received huge leadership from their captain.

    “Kaitlin (Willoughby) has been leading our team all season long,” said Smith. “She is an unreal captain.

    “She is hands down unreal on the ice. She always creates plays and helps out our team. On and off the ice, she is always a voice in the dressing room and gets our spirits up.

The Huskies alums cheer on the current Huskies.

    “She is a fantastic captain, and it is nice to have her on our side.”

    Willoughby was happy to see Smith net the game winner.

    “It was awesome,” said Willoughby. “I love seeing girls like that score.

    “Everyone is a great contribution to our team, and they are the reasons that we are here. Chloe (Smith), she has had lot of chances in the games, and I was so glad that she could capitalize on that tonight.”

    Willoughby is one of four players remaining on the Huskies that was part of the Canada West championship winning team from the 2013-14 campaign that also won a bronze medal at U Sports nationals.

The Huskies celebrate their series sweep over the Thunderbirds.

    The others include Bannatyne, who had a number of shot blocks and broke up a few scoring chances on Saturday, and checking centre Kennedy Harris and speedy right-winger Kori Herner.

    The Huskies captain is looking forward to what is ahead.

    “It feels amazing,” said Willoughby. “I think it feels even better than the first time.

    “I’m so excited. Emotions are high right now, but it is all settling in, and I couldn’t be happier right now.”

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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