Lethbridge – With only four games remaining in the conference schedule, the Pronghorn men’s hockey team (6-15-3 CW) has a chance to clinch the final playoff spot in Canada West this weekend versus the Regina Cougars (4-16-2CW) in Regina.
 
The ‘Horns lead the Cougars by five points for the final post-season position but the Cougars hold two games in hand on the ‘Horns. The Cougars will make up those two games next weekend hosting the conference leading Alberta Golden Bears.
 
Puck drops both Friday and Saturday night in Regina at 7:00 CST at the Co-operators Arena. Live stats for both games can be found at: http://www.leaguestat.com/canadawest/mens/en/stats/schedule.php?season_id=22
 
Horns looking to clinch
After rallying in the third period last Saturday night to defeat the CIS eighth ranked Manitoba Bisons, the ‘Horns firmly control their own destiny. With a pair of regulation wins over the Cougars this weekend, the ‘Horns would clinch the final playoff position.
 
The ‘Horns power play has remained hot, scoring four times on 17 chances last weekend, moving up to third in the conference and operating at just over 17% on the season. Dustin Moore continues to lead the ‘Horns and scoring and moved into second place in goals in the conference, scoring his 15^th of the season Saturday night. He has also recorded 11 assists and sits tied for fourth in conference scoring.
 
The ‘Horns will have their second half bye next weekend, before traveling to Edmonton in two weeks’ time to face the Alberta Golden Bears in their season finale.
 
Cougars Season on Life Support
The Cougars are winless in their past 10 games (0-9-1) and haven’t won since downing the ‘Horns in overtime November 19^th in Lethbridge.
Through 22 games, the Cougars have scored a conference low 44 goals and do not have anyone ranked in the top 20 in conference. Sophomore defenseman Matt Strueby leads the Cougars in scoring with 8 goals and 7 assists.
 
Freshman goaltender Lucas Gore has carried the bulk of the load between the pipes for the Cougars this season, appearing in 18 of the 22 games and sports a 3.60 goals-against-average and 0.847 save percentage.
 
In addition to hosting the Golden Bears next weekend, the Cougars conclude the conference schedule with a home-and-home series with the Saskatchewan Huskies the following weekend.