Game Summary
Brant Hilton’s 24-save shutout backstopped the University of Regina’s men’s hockey team to a 4-0 victory over the No. 8-ranked Manitoba Bisons on Friday night at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre.
Hilton’s 24 saves don’t even include a first-period penalty shot that was awarded to Manitoba’s Kyle Howarth after the third-year forward was hauled down on a breakaway. Howarth tried a deke to the backhand, but missed the net to keep the game scoreless.
Carter Smith opened the scoring for the Cougars just a couple minutes after Howarth’s unsuccessful penalty shot, and
Craig Cuthbert extended the lead to 2-0 with a power play goal with under two minutes left in the first.
Devon LeBlanc assisted on both of Regina’s first-period goals.
Ryan Sawka scored another power play goal six minutes into the second period to put the Cougars up three, and
Mark Nelson put the game away with his fourth of the season seven minutes into the third.
Third-year defenceman
Adam McPherson also recorded two assists for the Cougars, who were 2-for-7 with the man advantage. Manitoba was unsuccessful on their three power play opportunities.
The win improves Regina’s record to 9-11-1 as the red-hot Cougars move to within six points of fourth-place Calgary with three games in hand on the Dinos. Manitoba falls to 13-8-2 with the loss.
The two teams will meet again at the Sherwood Ice Sports Centre on Saturday night at 7 p.m.