Lethbridge – Lethbridge Pronghorns climbed back from a two goal deficit and earned a shootout win against the University of Alberta Pandas, Friday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
 
Shelby Ballendine scored both goals for the Pronghorns in the third period and Sadie Lenstra scored the only goal in the shootout. Alberta’s goals were scored by Alison Campbell and Andrea Boras.  
 
Lethbridge net-minder Crystal Patterson turned aside 25 of 27 on the night and Alberta’s Kaitlyn Chapman made 19 saves.
 
Boxscore
 
The Pandas drew first blood midway through the first as a power play opportunity allowed Stewart to find a wide open Boras, just inside the blue line, who blasted a hard slap shot through traffic, beating a screened Patterson.
 
Alberta’s offensive effort earned them another goal late in the period at 17:03, as first-year forward Alison Campbell, in position in front of the crease, managed to sneak one past the glove of the Lethbridge net-minder.
 
After a mostly uneventful second period, the score remained unchanged as the visiting Pandas held onto their two goal lead heading into the third frame.
 
Late in the third, Amy VanBuskirk’s rocket from the top of the circle found the front of then net where ‘Horns leading scorer Shelby Ballendine skillfully deflected it in past Chapman, narrowing the gap to one and bringing the home crowd to their feet.
 
With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Lethbridge pulled Patterson to gain an extra attacker and it paid off immediately as Ballendine buried her second of the game, tying the game at two’s and forcing extra time.
 
Despite outshooting the ‘Horns 8-3 in the 4-on-4 overtime period, neither team would manage to put it away which meant they would settle it with a shootout.
 
After an unsuccessful first attempt by Ballendine, it was Sadie Lenstra who managed to notch the game-winner after Alberta’s second shooter failed to beat Patterson.  
 
With this win, the ‘Horns secure the fourth spot in the division and improve to 11-7-1 while the Pandas move to 9-3-7. The puck drops for game two of the weekend series tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena and will be also be broadcast live on www.canadawest.tv