The host St. Mary's Huskies pull out OT win over USask. (Image Credit: U SPORTS)

By Wray Morrison

St. Mary's pulls out OT win over USask

Huskies eliminated at University Cup

Mar 20, 2026 | 9:08 AM

“It’s really hard to comprehend.” USask men’s hockey coach, Brandin Cote, did his best to process a 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Mary’s Huskies in the teams’ first game of the University Cup on Thursday night. 

Eighth seeded SMU jumped out to a 3-0 lead, 35 minutes into the contest. Reid Valade scored in the final minute of the first period, and that was followed up by a Ben Allison power play marker in the first minute of the second period. At 15:17 of the middle frame, Jake Uberti made it a three-goal game. “When you spot a team three goals, it’s tough”, said Cote. “I didn’t like our start, and they took advantage of their opportunities. 

Saskatchewan sniper Conner Roulette, who earlier in the week was named the U SPORTS outstanding rookie of the year, scored 34 seconds after St. Mary’s took the three-goal lead. Roulette, who had 12 points in three Canada West playoff games, then beat SMU goaltender Marcus Vandenberg in the opening seconds of the final frame to make it 3-2. 

USask dominated the third period, outshooting St. Mary’s 14-4 thanks in part to two power play opportunities. Saskatchewan was rewarded for their third period effort as Liam Keeler tipped in a Chantz Petruic shot on a man advantage with less than three minutes remaining to tie the game. “I’m proud of our guys for coming back”, Cote said. “In the third period you saw what we were made of.”

However, in front of their home fans, St. Mary’s pulled out the win as Ethan Ritchie tipped a Ben Boyd shot past USask goaltender Nolan Maier at 16:15 of the first OT session. Ritchie, a first-year SMU player from Oakville had an impressive 22-point season in the 30-game regular season.

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Both Maier and Vandenberg were forced to make big saves on opposition chances. Maier made 29 saves, while Vandenberg turned aside 34 USask shots.

 St. Mary’s will now face Windsor in the Saturday semifinals. The Lancers beat the Mount Royal Cougars 4-3 in the Thursday afternoon game, meaning both Canada West teams have been eliminated from the tournament.

 Saskatchewan loses a number of talented fifth-year players including captain Gunner Kinniburgh, forwards Chantz Petruic, Dawson Holt, defender Jarrett Penner and goaltender Jordan Kooy. “I’m proud of all of them”, Cote said. “We’ve been together since I’ve been here. It’s hard to see that era end. They can hold their heads high. They won two (Canada West) championships. That’s not easy to do.”

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 wray.morrison@pattisonmedia.com

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