Three first period goals by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies proved to be the difference in a 5-3 victory over the visiting University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday night in Saskatoon’s Rutherford Rink.

Boxscore

The Huskies tallied the three first period goals in a 3:48 span. With just 29 seconds left on a power play, Sara White snapped in a Kelsey Tulloch rebound over Crystal Patterson’s shoulder at 11:01. On a five-on-three, Tulloch was able to find the net after a scramble in front of Patterson at 12:59. Lindsay Karst scored the third goal sliding into the net with the puck for the goal at 14:39.

Entering the weekend, Saskatchewan and Lethbridge were tied for top spot in the Canada West standings. With the win, the Huskies move to 11-4 and take sole possession of first place.  Lethbridge drops to 10-5.

Saskatchewan had a 5-0 lead heading into the final frame but the ‘Horns made a strong bid for a comeback tallying three goals in the period. Pronghorn Kirsten Reeves rifled the puck just past Mackenzie Rizos’ glove at 4:01. Lethbridge added their second power play goal when Jenna-Marie Durnin sent the puck cross ice to Katie Mucha at 6:02. The third Lethbridge goal bounced off Rizos shoulder and into the net after Shelby Ballendine came streaking down the ice at 14:27.
Sara Greschner added the Huskies’ fourth goal at 15:05 in the second period, while Canada West leading scorer Julie Paestch tallied the Huskies’ final goal on the power play at 1:50 in the third period.

Rizos made 29 saves in the victory, while Patterson made 28 saves including a save on a Marley Ervine penalty shot in the third period. Lethbridge was 2-for-4 with the man advantage, while Saskatchewan went 3-for-8.

The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Rutherford Rink. Puck drop is 7 p.m. The game will be webcast on www.canadawest.tv.