Lethbridge – The Pronghorn women’s hockey team (10-7-1 CW, 15-10-1 overall) has hit a rough patch in the season but in the tight Canada West the ‘Horns will need to right the ship in hurray if they are to qualify for the post-season. The ‘Horns host the Alberta Pandas (9-3-6 CW) this weekend with huge playoff implications on the line.
 
With only four weeks left in the conference schedule, the final playoff positioning remains cloudy with only seven points separating first and fifth.  Every point from here on out will be of the upmost importance.
 
Puck drops Friday and Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena at 7:00pmalso be webcast on www.canadawest.tv , home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
New Year hasn’t been Friendly for the ‘Horns
Since returning from the semester break, the ‘Horns have struggled to return to the form that saw them sitting atop the conference’s standings at the break. The ‘Horns are winless in their last four games, dropping the ‘Horns to fourth place. Despite the winless streak, the ‘Horns are only three points behind both the Pandas and Dinos who are tied for second, but are also only one point ahead of the Manitoba Bisons for the final playoff spot.
 
For the first time in the school’s history the ‘Horns swept the Pandas in Edmonton, but the two wins were in overtime and the Pandas earned points in both games.
 
Prior to last weekend’s losses to the Calgary Dinos, the ‘Horns had been one of the stingiest teams in the conference, but surrendered 13 goals in the two losses and are now fifth in goals against.
 
Shelby Ballendine continues to lead the ‘Horns offensively with 7 goals and 9 assists, and Sadie Lenstra continues her strong rookie season, leading all freshmen in scoring with 8 goals and 6 assists and has moved up to 12^th in conference scoring.
 
Different look Pandas
Of their 18 conference games this season, the Pandas have been involved in 13 one-goal games, 9 of which have required overtime, so a close tight checking should be expected this weekend.
 
Once an offensive force, the Pandas struggled to score this season and have scored the fourth fewest goals thus far. After scoring 80 goals last season to lead the conference, the Pandas are pace to score only 57 times this season.
 
The Pandas only have three players in double digits in points this season with Sarah Hilworth leading the way with 9 goals and 12 assists.
 
Goaltender Kaitlyn Chapman has played well between the pipes this season after only appearing in one game last season. Chapman is tied for the conference lead in goals-against-average at 1.19 and has the second best save percentage at 0.941