Lethbridge – Lethbridge Pronghorns climbed back late in the third period to earn a 3-2 shootout win over the Regina Cougars, Saturday night, in their final home game of the regular season.
Lethbridge goals were scored by Jenna-Marie Durnin and Sadie Lenstra. Brooklyn Muskowy and Rianne Wight netted goals for the Cougars.
Boxscore
It took until nearly midway through the second period for the game’s first goal. Streaking up the left side, the ‘Horns created a 2-on-1 situation, splitting the defense, and a textbook pass from Chelsea Minor found the stick of Durnin who would hammer it home to give the ‘Horns their first lead of the weekend.
But the lead would be short lived. A neutral zone turnover less than 30 seconds later allowed Regina’s Wight to grab the loose puck and unload a rocket, top shelf blocker side that beat Patterson, knotted things up at ones.
Regina would add another late in the second as Muskowy recovered a loose puck out of a scramble in front of the net and roofed the puck past an unsuspecting Patterson, making it 2-1 Cougars heading into the second intermission.
Shots on goal through two favored the Cougars, 20-14.
After playing nearly the entire third period with no goals by either club, Shelby Ballendine’s quick pass found the tape of Lenstra, who’s shot found the back of the net with only 7.4 seconds remaining, forcing overtime and bringing the hometown crowd to their feet.
The assist by Ballendine moved her into a tie for the Pronghorns all-time leading scorer with Sam Schneyder with 73 career points.
After an unsuccessful overtime period, it was time for a shoot-out. Shooting first for the Cougars, Gina Campbell was denied by Patterson. Amy VanBuskirk shot first for the ‘Horns and skillfully out-deked Urban and deposited the puck into the open cage. Rianne Wight’s quick wrister put the Cougars back on track, beating Patterson glove side. Sadie Lenstra’s effort fell short, as did Brooklyn Moskowy’s. But Shelby Ballendine, after moving into a tie for the the all-time points leader, faked right and went backhand to net the game-winner.
With tonight’s win, the ‘Horns improve to 14-8-2 while the Cougars sit at 7-13-2 after splitting the weekend series. The Pronghorns have a bye next week and will have to wait for the outcome of other divisional games to determine if they will make the playoffs. The Cougars return home to host the University of Alberta Pandas in their final matchup of the regular season.
