Lethbridge – The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns were unable to complete the weekend sweep against the visiting University of Regina Cougars, as they dropped a double-overtime decision, 3-2, Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Boxscore

While on a 4-on-3 power play, Russ Nielsen net the winner for the Cougars with a one-timer from the left circle that beat `Horns goaltender Scott Bowles. Tyler Henry and Brett Leffler also scored for the Cougars, while Dustin Moore and Curtis Cooper replied for the `Horns.

After dropping game one of the two-game weekend series, the Cougars were full of life Saturday night and came out flying against the hometown Pronghorns.

Bowles, who faced 32 shots on the night, was tested early with a couple of great efforts by the surging Regina offense, including a blistering shot from defenseman Adam McPherson that was gloved down by the keeper.

Midway through the first, Regina opened the scoring. Henry earned his second of the weekend at 10:04; patiently out-waiting Bowles to chip it in top shelf, just out of glove’s reach.

It took just Regina just under 8 minutes to increase their lead, as Leffler, released a rocket from inside the circle that would beat Bowles glove side.  

Despite outshooting the Cougars 12-6 in the second, the ‘Horns would struggle to materialize a goal and would head into the intermission down a pair.

Regina’s offensive dominance trickled into the third frame but the Pronghorns weren’t going out without a fight. While on the power play, a high cycle by the ‘Horns allowed Dan Iwanski to blast a slap shot from just inside the blue line with Moore, in position in front of the crease, getting a piece of it to redirect it in past  Regina goaltender, Lucas Gore.

As the game continued to heat up, Lethbridge would add their equalizing goal within minutes, as Cooper found the back of the net, knotting the game up at twos with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation.

With scoring chances at each end, both goalies would manage to stay strong between the pipes and the as a result, the game would require extra time to determine a winner.

With each club coming close but unable to put it away, one overtime wasn’t enough to settle the score and so the game moved into the 3-on-3 overtime. Facing a Regina power play, the ‘Horns defensive core was tested repeatedly but wouldn’t be able to withstand the odd man pressure, setting up Neilson`s heroics.

With this win, Regina improves to 4-7-1 while Lethbridge falls to 3-8-2. The Cougars return home to Saskatchewan next to face off against the Alberta Golden Bears  while the Pronghorns are off next weekend and return to action the following week to wrap up the first semester of conference action, traveling to Vancouver to face the UBC Thunderbirds.