Lethbridge – Coming off a disappointing road weekend, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s hockey team (6-11-3 CW) are in danger of missing the playoffs if they cannot string some wins together to close out the season. The task does not get any easier this weekend, hosting the CIS seventh ranked Alberta Pandas (13-6-1 CW).
With eight games remaining in the season, the ‘Horns trail the Saskatchewan Huskies by three points for the final playoff spot. The Horns will also close the season out against the Huskies in Saskatoon, February 8-9.
The Pronghorns have had some success of late against the Pandas of late, in their last six match-ups, the ‘Horns are 4-0-2, including taking three of four points in Edmonton earlier this season. The ‘Horns beat the Pandas 4-3 in a shootout before losing 2-1 in overtime.
Struggling to score goals continues to be the ‘Horns downfall this season and with only 40 goals for, they rank second last offensively and it won’t get any easier this weekend as the Pandas are the best defensive team in the conference only allowing 30 goals against.
Second-year forward Kirsten Reeves has account for a third of the ‘Horns goals and is tied for second in goal scoring in the conference with 10.
Earning points in four consecutive games, the Pandas moved into second place in the conference after earning three points last weekend versus the Saskatchewan Huskies, but only lead the Regina Cougars by one point for a bye in the opening round of playoffs.
Despite scoring the second most goals in the conference with 50, the Pandas only have one player in the top 20 of conference scoring and are led by Karla Burke with eight goals and 10 assists. Burke is tied for eight on the Canada West scoring list.
Between the pipes, Michala Jefferies has played in 16 of the Pandas 20 games and ranks second in the conference in goals-against-average at 1.66, while recording two shutouts and a stellar 0.932 save percentage.
Puck drop for Friday and Saturday night’s contests is set for 7:00pm at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Both games will also be webcast on
www.canadawest.tv.
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