Some Saskatchewan residents might be rubbing their eyes, checking the news and wondering if they are dreaming this morning.

It would be an understandable reaction to a stunning election night, in which Republican candidate Donald Trump denied the polls to defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

On social media and in local bars, people watched with surprise as Trump racked up enough electoral college support to ensure his claim on the White House.

Saskatchewan reacts

Students from a University of Regina justice studies class watched the election from The Owl, the campus bar.

Shawn Wisgar said he was scared for the future because of the way the candidates ran their respective campaigns.

"To me it strikes up a sense of fear," Wisgar said.

"If the campaign is going to be so personal and be all these personal attacks, what is that going to mean when they come into office?"

Just give us some good news this morning, Sheila. DD is coming back, right?? <a href="https://t.co/YgtmcKncy3">https://t.co/YgtmcKncy3</a> —@ericandersonyxe

On Twitter, Regina's Ferrah Graham expressed disappointment that so many American voters supported Trump.

"Cancelling any plans my family had to ever visit the U.S. in the next four years," said Graham.

Mixed feelings

A Regina woman, who goes by "Shannon E." on Twitter, was also shocked.

"America, I think you need to go to your room and spend some time thinking about what you've done," she said in a tweet.

Cancelling any plans my family had to ever visit the US in the next 4 years. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nothappening?src=hash">#nothappening</a> Is <a href="https://twitter.com/DisneyParis_EN">@DisneyParis_EN</a> still a thing? —@FNGraham

There was no shortage of Saskatchewan people who said they were pleased with the outcome.

"Well, I am feeling great this morning," said Cheryl, who did not give her last name, in an email to CBC's The Morning Edition. "I hope that people will stop whining now and realize that Trump won because the people wanted him to!"

Saskatchewan political scientist John Courtney said he couldn't believe what happened last night.

'Total shock'

"My reaction was one of total shock," he told Sheila Coles, the host of CBC Radio's The Morning Edition.

Courtney believes the media's failure to call out Trump earlier in the political process was a factor in his win.

America, I think you need to go to your room and spend some time thinking about what you've done. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Election2016?src=hash">#Election2016</a> —@shannileigh72

So was the early strength shown by Clinton challenger Bernie Sanders, who helped pave the way for Trump's allegations that Clinton was corrupt, Courtney said.

He added that he packed it in early last night, instead of waiting for Trump's speech.

"It was so discouraging. I just went to bed," he said.