What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
10h ago
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
The Western Mustangs defeated the University of Saskatchewan Huskies 27-21 to be crowned the 56th Vanier Cup champions Saturday in Quebec City.
It’s the program’s eighth Vanier Cup in 15 trips to the Canadian university national championship.
Saskatchewan was unable to overcome the timely second half plays from the Mustangs, who were playing in the program’s third Vanier Cup in four seasons.
The Huskies were playing in their first Vanier Cup since 2006 and haven’t won the title game since 1998.
The Mustangs came out strong to open the game.
On an ice-covered Telus-Université Laval Stadium in Quebec City, Western marched down the field in an opening five-play 70-yard drive, capped by a Trey Humes 25-yard run less than three minutes into the game.
Saskatchewan’s offence answered back with a 26-yard field goal by David Solie later in the half to keep the score 7-3 after one quarter.
The Huskies offence continued to roll in the second quarter as Mason Nyhus marched the Dogs down the field before throwing an arching pass into the waiting arms of Daniel Perry for the 22-yard score. Saskatchewan’s extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 9-7.
Western wasted no time getting back on the scoreboard. Quarterback Evan Hillock engineered a long 12-play drive, which chewed more than six minutes off the clock. The drive was extended multiple times with the Mustangs going three-for-three on third down and ended in a field goal to take a 10-9 lead with 2:51 remaining in the half.
Getting the ball back with less than a minute left in the half, Nyhus and Adam Machart — who briefly left the game with a lower-body injury — methodically moved the ball down the field.
A Nyhus 15-yard pass to Sam Baker with one second left set up Solie for a 24-yard field goal to give the Huskies a 12-10 lead at the half.
Saskatchewan was stuffed on third down as Josh Ewanchyna couldn’t get past line of scrimmage.
Mustangs quickly made the Huskies pay with a massive throw and run play between Hillock and to Griffin Campbell for 50 yards to take a 17-12 lead.
Solie would miss a 40-yard field goal the following drive, but the Mustangs were forced to take a safety three plays later reduced the lead to 17-14 midway through the third quarter.
Campbell opened the Western lead further with a 17-yard score on a screen pass from Hillock to take a 24-14 lead.
Edouard Wanani made the comeback even more difficult for the Huskies, rumbling 56 yards down field to set up the Mustangs inside Saskatchewan territory. A field goal by Brian Garrity sent the Western offence off the field with a 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
A late Ewanchyna touchdown in the final minute wouldn’t matter as the Mustangs celebrated hoisting the program’s second Vanier Cup trophy in four seasons seconds later.
Willock was awarded the Ted Morris Memorial Trohpy as the game’s MVP after completing 18 of 29 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns.
Humes led the Mustangs with 79 yards and one touchdown on the ground on his 13 attempts.
Nyhus threw for 303 yards and one touchdown, completing 28 of his 40 passing attempts in the loss.
Machart has 78 yards on his 13 rushing attempts. Klassen was the leading Huskies receiver with seven catches and 95 yards.