Lethbridge – There’s no room for error for the Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s hockey team (7-14-3 CW) heading down the home stretch of the 2012-13 Canada West season.  They’ll most likely need to win their remaining four games if they have any hopes of qualifying for the post season.
 
That daunting task begins with their final home game of the season Friday night, as the ‘Horns host the Mount Royal Cougars (7-14-3 CW) in the front half of a home-and-home series. Game two of the weekend series goes Saturday night in Calgary. Both games are scheduled for 7:00pm and will be webcast on www.canadawest.tv.
 
Entering this weekend’s action both the Pronghorns and Cougars, who have identical records, trail the Saskatchewan Huskies by five points for the final playoff spot in the conference.
 
Playing in both the ‘Horns and Cougars favor is that the Huskies will face the conference leading Calgary Dinos for a pair of games in Calgary. The ‘Horns will travel to Saskatchewan next weekend to conclude the regular season schedule. The Cougars will face the Dinos next weekend in another home-and-home series.
 
If their earlier matchup is any indication, this weekend’s series should be a low scoring and close checking affairs. While the Cougars swept the ‘Horns in their first series this year, there were only four goals scored in regulation time with the Cougars needing a shootout to win the first game 2-1 in Lethbridge, before shutting out the ‘Horns 2-0 at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary.
 
In addition to their identical records, the ‘Horns and Cougars are near mirror images of each other statistically. They’re the two lowest scoring teams in the conference, with the ‘Horns holding a slight edge in goals for while the Cougars hold an edge in power play percentage.
 
Friday night will also mark the final home game for a pair of Pronghorns, as four year captain Ashley Beattie and fellow defender Amy Van Buskirk will both complete their five years of eligibility at the end of the season. Both have spent their entire post-secondary careers with the ‘Horns and have made significant contributions both on and off the ice during their time at the University of Lethbridge.
 
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