Box Score

Lethbridge - The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns opened the second half of the 2012-13 season, dropping the first of a two-game home series against the visiting University of Regina Cougars, 2-1, Friday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Carleen Meszaros and Stephanie Sawchuck earned goals for the Cougars while Breanna Frasca netted the lone goal for the ‘Horns.

Starting in net for the ‘Horns was Crystal Patterson, who faced 23 shots on the night. Jennifer Schmidt got the start for Regina, turning aside 21 of 22 shots.
The visiting team cracked the scoreboard first when Meszaros netted her fourth goal of the season on an early power play opportunity, from Rianne Wright and Kylie Gavelin, at 4:43. Streaking hard into the slot, Meszaros rifled the puck top shelf, past Patterson, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

Minutes later, Regina was called for hooking and the ‘Horns had their first chance on the power play but despite a few chances from inside the Cougars end, the Horns would fail to convert.

Sawchuck gobbled up her own rebound and quickly unloaded a great second effort, blocker side, which went high and over Patterson’s shoulder, widening the Cougars lead to two by the end of the first.

Plagued by penalties in the opening frame, Lethbridge looked to bounce back in the second but would struggle to generate much for offensive opportunities, only generating three shots on goal.

Jenna-Marie Durnin soared into the Cougars end on a stellar breakout chance but was stonewalled by Schmidt and rookie Sarah Spence fired a hard wrister on net that would come all too close but her the much needed goal was denied by a bad bounce off the inside post that send the puck right back out.

As the third period got underway, Lethbridge was still hungry for their first marker of the night. Earning her team’s first of the night, and her fifth of the season, Breanna Frasca corralled the loose rebound and lifted the puck past Schmidt at 2:05, from Megan Bailey and Durnin. Despite narrowing the gap to one early in the third and having a two-man advantage late in the third, that would be as close as the ‘Horns would come.

With the loss the ‘Horns fall to 5-9-3, while the Cougars keep pace with the conference leading Calgary Dinos, who beat the UBC Thunderbirds tonight and improve to 13-4 on the season.

Game two of the back-to-back series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Game time is set for 7pm and will be broadcast on www.canadawest.tv.