GRIDIRON DOGS SHOW LITTLE BITE IN WIN.

The kids are all right.

The University of Saskatchewan Hockey Huskies are moving forward with a crop of newcomers who are also making an impact on the scoresheet.

Rookies Josh Roach and Sean Aschim each scored once Saturday, and Lakehead transfer Ryan McDonald tallied twice, as the Dogs blanked the visiting University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 7-0.

“Everyone’s stepping up,” said Huskies’ rookie centre John Lawrence. “It’s good to get some experience early — it’s only going to help us in the long run.”

Ryan Holfeld made 24 saves for the shutout as the Dogs completed their first sweep of the new Canada West season.

“Our young guys have been the key to our success along the way,” says U of S coach Dave Adolph, whose team climbed back up to the .500 mark at 4-4 after a pair of close losses to the University of Alberta Golden Bears one week earlier. “Our older guys have shown the way, but there are a lot of young kids who have played pretty well.”

Jesse Ross, Andrew Bailey and Brennan Bosch also scored for Saskatchewan, which led 2-0 and 5-0 by periods. The Huskies capitalized with the man advantage, going four for nine on the power play.

McDonald scored two of those as he returned to the lineup for the first time since the season-opener.

“I got a little grief at the end that he wasn’t out there for an opportunity for a hat trick, but I was more concerned for Holfy — he had a shutout going and we wanted to make sure we preserved that,” said Adolph.

Aschim scored his first goal as a Dog on a penalty shot at 7:51 of the first to give his team an early 2-0 lead.

Unlike Friday night, the Dogs didn’t take the foot off the gas. They added three more in the second frame and a pair of goals in the third as insurance.

“It’s important to play a full 60 minutes,” said Lawrence. “You don’t want any bad habits. You want to be able to pull away from the other team.”

Lethbridge, which was zero for six on the power play, got outshot 32-24.

“It’s nice to get the first sweep of the season,” said Lawrence. “That’s what you hope for going into every weekend.”

Women’s hockey

In Canada West women’s hockey at Lethbridge, Sarah Greschner scored twice as the Huskies edged the Pronghorns 3-2.

Kaitlin Willoughby had the other goal for Saskatchewan, which improves to 5-2-1.

Karen Lefsrud made 24 saves for the Dogs, who outshot the Pronghorns 31-26.