Lethbridge – Coming off a weekend split for the second consecutive weekend, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s hockey team (2-3-1 CW) heads up the Queen Elizabeth highway to Edmonton to face the undefeated and CIS fourth ranked Alberta Pandas (6-0-0 CW).
 
Having struggled offensively for much of the season thus far, the ‘Horns are hoping that last Saturday night will be an indication of things to come. After being shutout Friday night by the UBC Thunderbirds, 1-0, the ‘Horns offense exploded for four goals Saturday night in a 4-1 win. The ‘Horns are tied with the Regina Cougars for the fewest goals scored in the conference with 11.
 
One of the major reasons for the ‘Horns offensive woes to start the season has been their lack of effectiveness on the power play. The ‘Horns are ranked last in Canada West with the extra attacker, scoring only once in their 20 opportunities.
 
Kirsten Reeves continues to lead the ‘Horns with four goals, while Megan Bailey, Sarah Spence and Breanna Frasca have all scored twice.
 
This weekend will present a daunting task as the once high powered Pandas have been successful so far this season with strong defence, allowing a conference low seven goals in six games and have allow more than one goal against in only one contest.
 
Michala Jefferies has carried the bulk of the load for the Pandas in goal, playing in five of the team’s six conference games and sports a 1.40 goals-against-average. Freshman Lindsay Post has started one game and shutout the Saskatchewan Huskies 2-0.
 
The one-two punch of Sarah Hilworth and Karla Burke has done the majority of the damage offensively for the Pandas. Both are tied for second in the conference in scoring with nine points and Hilworth leads the conference in goals with five.
 
The Weekend series kicks off Friday night at 7:00pm at Clare Drake Arena, with game two going at 6:00pm on Saturday. Both games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv, the home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
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