Lethbridge – The Pronghorn women’s hockey team (11-7-2 CW, 16-10-2 overall) heads out on the road this weekend to face the Manitoba Bisons (10-5-3 CW) in the most important series of the season.
 
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, only one point separates the Pronghorns and Bisons for the final playoff spot in the conference. Manitoba holds two games in hand on the ‘Horns which will be made up during the last weekend of the season. The ‘Horns are also within three points of the Pandas for third place.
 
The ‘Horns will wrap the regular season next weekend hosting the Regina Cougars.
 
Puck drops Friday and Saturday night at Max Bell at 7:00pm CST. Live stats can be found at http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/womens/en/stats/schedule.php?season_id=23
 
Horns in for a battle
For the first time in the New Year the ‘Horns are facing an unranked opponent in the Bisons. Saskatchewan, Calgary and Alberta are ranked among CIS top 10, and the ‘Horns went 1-3-2 in that stretch.
 
Despite the tough stretch, the ‘Horns power play has been hot, moving up to second in the conference and operating at 18.6%.
 
Senior forward Shelby Ballendine leads the ‘Horns offensively and is tied for 7^th in conference scoring with 9 goals and 9 assists. Sadie Lenstra has had a strong rookie season and is making a campaign for the Canada West rookie of the year, leading all freshmen in scoring with 8 goals and 7 assists.
 
Bisons stampeding
The defending Canada West Champion Bisons got off to a slow start this season but are peaking at the right time and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
 
A defensively sound team, the Bisons have allowed the second fewest goals against in the conference at 38, led by the tandem of Tara Lacquette and Leiette Klassen who have split the work right down the middle. Lacquette is fourth in the conference with a goals-against-average of 1.75.

Offensively the Bisons are led by Nellie Minshull, who is tied with Ballendine on the conference’s scoring list with 18 points. Minshull is fifth in the conference in goals with 10.