HKY: MRU, SSK forwards play heroes in CW quarterfinals
MRU's Yaremko, SSK's Shirley earn CW Player of the Week honours
CALGARY - Mount Royal's Nolan Yaremko and Saskatchewan's Abby Shirley were named the Canada West Hockey Players of the Week by the conference Tuesday.
Yaremko put up four key points in the most important two games his Cougars have faced this season. In the team's quarterfinal match-up with the Regina Cougars, every goal mattered as MRU took the first game 4-3 and the second game in overtime.
Yaremko played hero in the series-clinching overtime frame, wasting no time in grabbing a deflected puck in front of the net and burying it to punch his team's ticket to the CW semi-finals.
Yaremko's game awareness and quick hands were on display all weekend, as the second-year forward contributed on more than half the Cougars' goals.
He posted a highlight reel one himself in the first period of Friday's game, picking up the puck at his own blue line and speeding through three defenders before tucking it between the goalie's pads.
The Spirit River, AB product hasn't missed a beat since the regular season, where he finished as the conference's top goal scorer and point getter with 19 and 39 respectively.
MRU is now set to travel to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds in a best-of-three semi-final series. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday (and Sunday if needed) at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Game log:
Feb. 25: 1G, 1A, +2 in 4-3 W vs REG
Feb. 26: 1G, 1A, +1 in 3-2 OTW vs REG
Meanwhile, a fourth-year forward led the Saskatchewan Huskies in a feat they had yet to accomplish this year: beating the Manitoba Bisons. Abby Shirley posted a rare postseason hat trick to give her team the game one win and the all-important momentum in the series.
Her first of the game came off a perfectly-placed tip from just outside the crease to put the Huskies on the board Friday. Less than a period later, she netted her second after picking the puck up just inside the blue line, pushing past two Bisons and getting the shot off before the next defender could think twice.
Her two goals helped the Huskies maintain a 3-2 lead into the third period, when she netted the empty netter for assurance.
The Delisle, SK product also notched an assist in the Huskies' series-winning 3-0 victory Saturday.
Saskatchewan is now set to travel to Calgary to take on the Mount Royal Cougars at the Flames Community Arena this weekend. That best-of-three semifinal match-up starts Friday at 7 p.m.
Game log:
Feb. 25: 3G, +2 in 4-2 W vs MAN
Feb. 26: 1A, +1 in 3-0 W vs MAN