Box Score

Lethbridge – Three goals in the final two minutes of play led the CIS fifth ranked University of Regina Cougars to a 5-1 win over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, Friday night, in the first of a two game weekend series at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Kendra Finch, Kylie Gavelin, Kaitlin Sherven, Tori Head, and Stephanie Sawchuck each netted individual markers for the Cougars, while Sarah Spence picked up the loan goal for the Pronghorns.

Crystal Patterson got the start for the Lethbridge, facing 38 shots on the night. Sarah Spence scored the lone goal for the 'Horns. Jennifer Schmidt was in net for Regina and turned aside all but one of the 34 shots she faced.

Regina cracked the score-sheet first, just past the midway mark of the opening frame. The Cougars offensive unit came flying into the 'Horns end and quickly unloaded a couple hard shots on Patterson but it was Gavelin's solid effort in the crease that would be the difference-maker, as she managed to tuck the loose puck past the down and out net-minder.

Jasmine Teske almost managed to knot things up for the 'Horns a few minutes later. Streaking hard into the slot from the left side, she dropped back and unloaded a hard wrister that was swiftly denied by Schmidt.

Jenna-Marie Durnin and Erica Williams each had shots early in the second as the Lethbridge looked to even the score but neither was able to convert.
With Aislinn Kooistra in the penalty box for body contact, the Cougars looked to add to their lead. Kylie Kupper tried to hammer one home in front of the crease but Patterson was too quick for the first-year Cougar forward. Carleen Maszaros also unloaded a rocket from outside that would just miss, hitting the top corner post and bounced wide.

After two periods of play the shots on goal were 23-19 for the Cougars.

Looking to tie things up in the third, the 'Horns upped the pressure on Schmidt. Erica Williams' backhand effort was gloved down by the Regina keeper but Sadie Lenstra's pass to Sarah Spence allowed her to capitalize on a shorthanded opportunity a short while later, finding the back of the net at 3:46 to even the score at ones.

Regina answered right back, to regain their lead. With a bunch of bodies crowding the front of the net, Finch found a way to coral the loose puck and put it past an unsuspecting Patterson.

As Patterson came to the bench to give Lethbridge an extra attacker, the Cougars would dish the puck down the ice and add an empty netter to make it 3-1. But they weren't done yet, adding two more in the final minute of play.

With this win, the Cougars improve to 3-0-0 (CW) while the Pronghorns fall to 1-1-1 (CW). Game two of the weekend series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. The pucks drops at 7pm and the game will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv