Lethbridge – Lethbridge Pronghorns rallied back to defeat the Manitoba Bisons 5-4 in regulation, Saturday night, earning them a split of the weekend series.
Lethbridge goals were scored by Daniel Iwanski, Winston Day Chief, Cass Mappin and Dustin Moore, who contributed two on the night. Jeremy Schappert, Brendan Rowinski, Tyler Dittmer, and Chris Benias replied for Manitoba.
Scott Bowles stopped 29 of 33 shots in his last home game as Pronghorn while Joe Caligiuri turned aside 21 of the 26 shots he faced. It was also Bowles’ 50
th career victory.
Boxscore
An early power play opportunity gave Manitoba an early lead for the second night in a row, as Rowinski netted his first of the weekend, deflecting home a Bison point shot.
A neutral zone turnover resulted in an odd man rush that allowed the Bisons the open the gap to two, as a great tape-to-tape pass from Del Cowan found Benias, whose quick wrister was too much for the Lethbridge net-minder.
Shots on goal were deadlocked 12-12, towards the end of the opening frame tensions began to flare up.
It took the better part of the second period for the ‘Horns to answer back but they did. Capitalizing on yet another power play, Iwanski corralled a loose rebound and roofed it glove side past a down and out Caligiuri, bringing Lethbridge within one.
With penalty trouble plaguing both clubs, the Bisons would add another marker with the man advantage, as Dittmer took advantage of an outstretched Bowles for his second of the weekend to make it 3-1.
Captain Moore, streaking through the slot, took a pass from Iwanski and fired a rocket into the post that deflected in, once again narrowing the gap and bringing the home crowd to their feet.
But the Bisons replied immediately as Schappert buried his fourth of the season at 19:15.
After two fast-paced periods, the shots on goal slightly favoured Manitoba 25-22.
Making a hard offensive push, Moore gobbled up his own rebound and his swift second effort found the back of the net, his second of the game to cut the lead to one.
Desperately searching for the elusive equalizing goal, Cass Mappin came flying around the net and found Day Chief in front of the crease who hammered it in past Caligiuri, tying the game at fours with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.
The game winning goal came only moments later as Mappin came flying into the slot, drew Caligiuri right and netted an incredible backhander top shelf to give the ‘Horns their first, and most important lead of the game, as the ‘Horns would hold on for the win.
With this win, the ‘Horns improve to 6-15-3 and are now five points up on the Regina Cougars. The Bisons remain in the second spot with 15-5-2.
Up next for the ‘Horns, they travel to Regina to face the Cougars at Co-Operators Centre. The Manitoba Bisons return home to host the UBC Thunderbirds at the Max Bell Arena.
