Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs.
That’s the theme of the weekend for Saskatoon-based sports teams.
Road dogs
Three University of Saskatchewan Huskies teams will be battling on the road for Canada-West banners.
Women’s basketball is in Regina for a chance at a threepeat.
This marks the third consecutive meeting between the University of Regina Cougars and Huskies, with the Huskies winning the last two championships.
Something has to give in the one-game playoff as the Cougar’s claim an undefeated home record this season, while the Huskies haven’t lost on the road.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
The Huskies women’s hockey team is in Winnipeg to begin its three-game series against the University of Manitoba Bisons.
The Huskies will be relying heavily on goaltender Jessica Vance.
Vance was awarded the Canada-West women’s hockey player of the year award this week. She has already claimed 10 shutouts to go along with her 16-3-0-1 record over 20 games this season.
Not to be outdone, Bisons goaltender Lauren Taraschuck won Canada-West rookie of the year, playing to a 10-2-0-0 record, .961 SV%, 0.71 GAA, and five shutouts in the regular season.
Puck drop is at 7.p.m on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday’s puck drop set for 5 p.m. All games will be held at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
The men’s ice dogs are back in Edmonton for another timeless battle in the Canada-West final against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
It will be the third consecutive meeting between the two teams. The Huskies and Golden Bears have met 19 times in the Canada West Final since 1966-67.
Taking aim at the defending conference champions, the Huskies will be playing without some of its top contributors. Josh Roach, Logan McVeigh, Micheal Sofillas and Wyatt Johnson are all injured, along with starting goaltender Jordon Cooke.
All three Huskie teams have earned spots to the U Sports Championships.
Comforts of home
At SaskTel Centre this weekend, the Saskatoon Blades look to increase its chances at playoff hockey, while the Saskatchewan Rush looks to pad its lead in the NLL standings.
The Blades enter tonight deadlocked with the Prince Albert Raiders for the final playoff at 65 points each.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes bring former Blades goaltender Logan Flodell to town for a 7 p.m. puck drop before the Blades head to Moose Jaw on Saturday for a clash against the Warriors.
Emily Clark, Saskatoon’s Pyeongchang silver medalist, will be at the game to sign autographs during the second intermission.
Meanwhile, the Rush will take over SaskTel Centre on Saturday for a meeting with the lowly Vancouver Stealth.
Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders will be part of the entertainment as the Rush look to extend its lead in the western conference over the Colorado Mammoth.