Lethbridge – Having been officially eliminated from post-season contention last weekend, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s hockey team (1-17-2 CW) will play the final eight games of the season for nothing more than pride and spots on next season’s squad.
 
Already with four players out with injuries, the ‘Horns finished a disappointing weekend with only 15 healthy skaters and no certainty that any of them will return this coming weekend as the ‘Horns travel to face the #1 team in the Canada, the Alberta Golden Bears (16-4-0 CW).
 
The Pronghorns are mired in a nine game losing streak and rank at or near the bottom of nearly every category. The ‘Horns have scored the fewest goals in the conference with 38 and allowed 102, which also ranks at the bottom.
 
Freshman forward Chase Schaber still leads the ‘Horns in scoring but is now second among the conference’s top freshmen scoring with 18 points.
 
Conversely, the Bears are the top ranked offensive and defensive team in the conference; scoring 85 times, while only surrendering 38 goals. The Golden Bears broke a first place tie with the Saskatchewan Huskies last weekend, sweeping the Huskies with a pair of 3-2 victories and are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games.
 
With five players among the top 20 in scoring, the Bears do not rely on one line to score and are led by former Tri-City American Johnny Lazo, who has nine goals and 16 assists. Sophomore forward Jordan Hickmott is tied for the conference lead in goal scoring with 13 goals and former Lethbridge Hurricane Jesse Craige leads all Canada West defensemen in scoring with 20 points.
 
Between the pipes Kurtis Mucha has played 12 of the team’s 20 games and leads the conference in goals against average and save percentage.
 
Puck drop is scheduled at Clare Drake Arena in Edmonton for 7:00pm Friday night and 6:00pm Saturday night. Both games will also be webcast on www.canadawest.tv.