Lethbridge - The women’s hockey team (8-4-0 CW, 13-7-0 overall) close a successful first half this weekend hosting the UBC Thunderbirds (1-9-2 CW). The ‘Horns and T-Birds kicked off the season’s versus each other in Vancouver with the weekend series being split. The ‘Horns opened the season with a 2-0 win before losing 4-2 in Game 2 the next night.
 
Around the Horns
While being on a bye last week, the Horns dropped into a tie for third in the Canada West standings after the Alberta Pandas swept the Regina Cougars and Calgary Dinos split their series with Manitoba. The ‘Horns trail the Dinos by two points and the Pandas by a single point but moved back up to ninth in the CIS Top Ten.
 
Strong defensive play has been the key for the ‘Horns resurgence during the first half of the season. With 20 goals against in 12 games the ‘Horns have allowed the second fewest goals against in the conference. Sophomore goaltender Crystal Patterson, who has played every minute this season for the ‘Horns has been a key factor in the teams stingy defense and is among the league leaders in every statistical category. Patterson leads the conference in minutes played, shutouts with 4, and save percentage at 0.947. She is also tied for the conference lead in wins with 8 and her 1.47 goals-against-average is third in the conference.
 
Offensively, senior Shelby Ballendine leads the way with 5 goals and 6 assists, while Jenna-Marie Durnin sits second with 10 points. A pair of rookies in Sadie Lenstra and Kirsten Reeves have also had an impact and are tied for the rookie scoring lead in Canada West with 6 points.
 
T-Birds slumping
After opening the conference season with a weekend split with the ‘Horns, the T-Birds have not won since. Despite being on the losing end of their last 10 games, the T-Birds did earn a single point versus the second place Alberta Pandas and Regina Cougars.
 
Offensive woes have plagued the Thunderbirds during the first half of the season, scoring a conference low 12 goals in 12 games. UBC has been shut out five times so far this season including both games last weekend when they hosted the Saskatchewan Huskies. Tatiana Rafter leads the Thunderbirds offensively with a goal and 6 assists.
 
The T-Birds have also surrendered a league leading 49 goals against this season.
 
Puck drop goes at 7:00pm, both Friday and Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. The games will also be available on www.canadawest.tv, the home of all Canada West web broadcasts.
The Horns will return to action after the semester break, January 6^th and 7^th traveling to play the Saskatchewan Huskies.