Lethbridge – Having clinched the final playoff spot last weekend by virtue of owning the tie breaker with the Regina Cougars, the Pronghorn men’s hockey team (7-16-3 CW) will return to the post-season after a two year hiatus, but first the ‘Horns will put a cap on the regular season this weekend on the road.
 
The ‘Horns will travel to Edmonton for the second time in a month to face the Alberta Golden Bears at storied Clare Drake Arena. Puck drops both Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm; the game will also be webcast at www.canadawest.tv , home to all Canada West webcasts.
 
The Bears have won all four games thus far in the season series, including convincing 5-0 and 6-1 wins at Clare Drake only four weeks ago.
 
Horns preparing for return to post-season
With Cougars losing last Saturday night in overtime, the ‘Horns clinched the final post season spot and heading into the final regular season games, the ‘Horns can’t catch anyone ahead of the them in the standings but they do not know who they will face in the next weeks playoff series either. The Bears, Manitoba Bisons and Saskatchewan Huskies are battling for the top two spots and a bye in the first round of playoffs.
 
The January “Husky – WHL Graduate of the Month” Dustin Moore leads the ‘Horns offensively with 16 goals and 11 assists, good enough for fifth on the conference scoring list. Moore is also second in Canada West in goals with 16 and leads Canada West in shots on goal with 145. Taylor Gal is only other Pronghorn among the top 20 scorers in Canada West, tied for 17^th with three other players at 19 points.

Bears battling for first round bye
The Bears trail the Bisons by one point for first in the conference and lead the Huskies by a single point for second place. The top two spots earn a bye in the opening round of the playoffs, while the third place team will host the ‘Horns in a best of three series next weekend.
 
The once high powered Bears are now winning with defensive hockey, leading the conference only allowing 56 goals against in 26 games. Goaltender Real Cyr has had a stellar season between the pipes for the Bears and leads Canada West in goals-against-average (1.50) and save percentage (0.939%).
 
On the offensive front, Sean Ringrose leads the team with 26 points.  The Bears also sport the top two scoring rookies in the conference with Jordan Hickmont and Levko Koper, who are tied with 24 points.