Lethbridge – Coming off the best season in the program’s history, the Lethbridge Pronghorns return 17 players from last season’s team that went 14-8-2 and finished fourth in the conference.  The ‘Horns open the season with a great early test facing the defending CIS Champion Calgary Dinos in a home-and-home series.
 
Game one goes Friday night in Calgary with the back-half of the weekend series being the ‘Horns home opener, Saturday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drops Saturday night at 7:00pm.
 
Despite losing two games straight in the opening round of the playoffs to the Dinos, the ‘Horns took a huge step forward last season and want to remain in the post-season mix after missing the playoffs for five consecutive years prior to last season.
 
The ‘Horns rock last season, goaltender Crystal Patterson, returns off a Canada West first team all-star season that saw Patterson lead the conference in shutouts with six, which tied her for third most ever in a Canada West season. Patterson led the conference in minutes played last season and was among the top four in every other goaltending category.
 
While offensive production was improved last season, the ‘Horns will be without their leading scorer and Canada West second team all-star, Shelby Ballendine after her graduation. Reigning Canada West rookie of the year Sadie Lenstra and Kirsten Reeves will have to take another step forward in their sophomore season to pick up the slack left behind. Lenstra led all Canada West rookies in scoring with 19 points last season, while Reeves finished tied for third on the team in goals with seven. Talented fourth-year forward Jenna-Marie Durnin will also be counted on to pick up her offensive production this season.
 
On the back end, the ‘Horns have a solid experienced group led by fifth-years Amy Van Buskirk, captain Ashley Beattie and fourth-year Glenda Edie.
 
The consensus favorite to repeat as conference champions, the Dinos return the core group from last season’s championship team including women’s hockey star Hayley Wickenheiser, defenceman Stephanie Ramsay and goaltender Amanda Tapp. Also returning to the Dinos this season is Russian international Iya Gavrilova, who finished fourth in conference scoring last season with 15 goals and 12 assists in only 21 games.
 
Both Friday and Saturday night’s games will be webcast on www.canadawest.tv.