Lethbridge – On the strength of three goals in a span of 4:23 the Saskatchewan Huskies opened the 2011-2012 Canada West season with an impressive 5-2 win over the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
With seven new faces on the opening day roster, the ‘Horns were eager to make a good first impression for the Pronghorns faithful by having a solid opening 20 minutes, but were not able to maintain the pace past the opening frame.
Sophomore Taylor Gal opened the scoring for the Pronghorns, finding himself all alone backdoor and banging home a rebound just past the five minute mark. For rest of the opening stanza, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge traded odd man chances with the Huskies having the better of the chances but senior goaltender Scott Bowles was perfect, stopping all 14 Huskies shots. The Horns managed to direct 8 toward Huskie’s starter David Reekie.
Trailing through 20 minutes, the Huskies regrouped in the intermission and erased the deficit in short fashion. Only 1:09 into second period Brennan Bosch got the Huskies on the board, tying the score and beginning the rally. Brendan Dowd then scored just over a minute later to give the Huskies a lead they would never relinquish as Craig McCallum rounded out the Huskies’ three goal outburst.
The ‘Horns did have their chance to claw back into the game with a five-minute power play after Zak Stebner was assessed a major penalty but the ‘Horns were uhnable to capitalize until late in the power play. Freshman Cass Mappin scored his first CIS goal off a rush, when Winston Day Chief found him from the corner with Mappin chipping the pass up and over Reekie’s blocker.
Any hope of a Horns comeback ended early into the third period as Bosch collected his second of the night before the period hit the five minute mark. Derek Hulak rounded out the scoring, banking a shot off the back of Bowles’ leg with less than five minutes remaining.
The Huskies finished the night with a distinct advantage on the shot clock, out shooting the ‘Horns 42 -22. Saskatchewan finished the night 2-for-4 on the power play, while the ‘Horns scored once in their four opportunities.
Bowles finished his busy night with a 37 save performance in the loss, while Reekie turned away 20 of 22 ‘Horns shots.
The Huskies (1-0 CW) and the Horns (0-1 CW) will conclude the weekend series tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drops at 7:00pm.
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