Shayne Sasseen ignites the Huskies with his strong play
offensively and defensively.

Shayne Sasseen isn’t exactly the biggest defenseman on the Husky
Hockey team. Between the bookends known as Jason Ruel and T.J.
Anderson, 2003 PAC8 First Team Defenseman Sasseen lives on the
blocked shots, pass interceptions, and the assists that he has become
known to deliver. However, last night Sasseen took a page out of the
Ruel and Anderson book and electrified the Huskies and the fans with one
bone-crushing hit, giving the spark needed to drop the Stanford Cardinal
for a second consecutive time, 10-2.

It was déjà vu again for the Huskies last night, as they saw a much more
physical Cardinal Hockey team come out than the night before and snag
the early lead in the first period.

A stunned Husky crowd looked along with goaltender Robert Branom as
the Cardinal won a scuffle out in front of the crease with 10 minutes gone,
giving them the early lead and a power play goal.

The Cardinal bench slammed their sticks emphatically against the boards
as Taku Ide pumped his fists in the air in celebration of his goal, silencing
the crowd and astonishing the Husky skaters.

Once again, the Huskies again would not wait long to answer.

Three minutes later, Brad Hajner would push one past Stanford
goaltender Ira Renfrew as he collected a pass from behind net and
wristed the puck top shelf to even the score at one a piece.

Quickly the Huskies would find themselves on the defensive, as Jared
Pisinger would pick up a tripping call and find the box, and the Cardinal
went back on the power play for the third time in the period. Penalties on
the Huskies became common theme for the rest of the night, and the
Dawgs feasted like they have before with the man down.

Sasseen stepped up during the man down session and completely rocked
the world of a Stanford attacker in the transition game. Completely lifting
him off his skates and dispatching him to the ice, the momentum lead to
the collection of the puck and Sean O’Brien finishing the play by
redirecting the pass from Brett Lawrence and giving the Huskies the lead
on the short handed goal.

From here the Dawgs would not look back, as they would pick up five
goals in the second period, one courtesy of the power play, and another
shorthanded goal. The Huskies would finish with three shorthanded goals
on the night, proving that the Dawgs don’t always need five on the ice to
continue to put on the offensive pressure.

With the victory last night, the Dawgs improved their PAC8 Conference
record to 6-1, and their overall ACHA record to 8-4. Currently the Husky
Hockey team is riding a six game winning streak. The Dawgs look to
continue the streak this coming weekend against the Washington State
Cougars, with two at OlympicView arena in Mountlake Terrace.