Lethbridge – The Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s hockey team (0-1-1 CW) returns to conference action this weekend hosting the Regina Cougars (1-1-0 CW) after a conference-wide bye week.
 
Despite the break in conference action, both the ‘Horns and Cougars traveled down south to face NCAA opponents. While the results were not what the ‘Horns were hoping for in three losses to WCHA schools, the young ‘Horns earned some valuable experience versus strong NCAA programs in the number one ranked University of Minnesota, Minnesota-Mankato and Nebraska-Omaha.
 
The Cougars traveled to Alaska, where they were beat by both Alaska-Fairbanks and Alaska-Anchorage.
 
With only three players on the roster in their third season of eligibility, the ‘Horns are the youngest team in the conference but they expect to improve week in and week out.  Nevertheless, with only a 28 game schedule, it is important for the ‘Horns not to fall behind early like they have the past few seasons.
 
Looking for their first conference win of the season, the ‘Horns face a new-look Cougar team that went through a coaching change in the offseason, after Blaine Sautner’s retirement. Now leading the Cougars is former Calgary Dino standout Todd Johnson. A Regina native, Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Kootenay Ice in the WHL.
 
The Cougars strength starts in net led by a pair of second-year netminders in Lucas Gore and Andrew Hayes. Gore led Canada West’s goalies in minutes played last season, while Hayes looked good last year in a brief stint with the Cougars after joining the team at midseason.
 
Two weekends ago, the Cougars opened the conference schedule with a weekend split versus the UBC Thunderbirds.
 
Last season, the ‘Horns and Cougars split the season series with both teams winning once on the road but the ‘Horns earned one extra point with an overtime loss at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
 
Puck drops both Friday and Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena at 7:00pm. Both games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv, the home of all Canada West webcasts.