Box Score

Lethbridge - With both team’s playoff lives hanging in the balance, the Lethbridge Pronghorns grinded out a 2-1 win over the visiting Mount Royal Cougars in the front half of a home-and-home series.
 
With the win the ‘Horns improve to 8-14-3 but do not gain any ground on the Saskatchewan Huskies for the sixth and final playoff spot after the Huskies upset the CIS second ranked Calgary Dinos in Calgary, 2-1. The ‘Horns remain five points back of the Huskies. The Cougars fall to 7-15-3 on the season.
 
Kirsten Reeves and Krystal Reithmayer scored for the Pronghorns, while Tanika  Dawson responded for Mount Royal.
 
In a tight checking opening period, where neither team was willing to take any risks in fear of making a mistake, the ‘Horns were comfortable playing a dump and chase game, looking to get work their fore check to generate chances.
 
After an initial opportunity off a solid fore check, the Horns hit the scoreboard first. During a goalmouth scramble, that Kilgour thought she had smothered, ‘Horns leading goal scorer Reeves banged home her 12^th of the season.
 
The Cougar’s best chance of the period came off a failed clearing attempt that banked off the back boards and straight out in front. Cougar Jade Osadchuk was alone in front and neither she nor ‘Horns netminder Patterson could find the puck and it slid out of harm’s way.
 
With just over a minute to play and a Pronghorn penalty expiring, the Cougars came close to getting the equalizer. Off to the side of the net Cougar captain Chrissy Hodgson had two chances with Patterson sprawling but she could not lift the puck over Patterson.
 
The Horns held an 11-6 shot advantage in the opening period.
 
After seeing positive results in the opening frame, the Horns were content to continue putting pucks in behind the Cougar defense, but struggled to generate much in terms of pressure. Wise to the ‘Horns tactics, the Cougar countered with solid neutral zone play and were able to generate turnovers. The Cougars flipped the shot clock on the ‘Horns in the second, holding a 10-7 advantage.
 
While the period was scoreless it was not without chances to score. Sadie Lenstra had the best chance by either team, breaking in alone and beating Kilgour but not the iron.
 
For the Cougars, Kacy Smith nearly tied the score batting a rebound out of mid-air but she too found the post.
 
Just past the 16 minute mark, Megan Bailey had a glorious chance to double the ‘Horns lead, intercepting a clearing attempt deep in the Cougars slot but she could not beat Kilgour.
 
With their playoff lives hanging in the balance, the Cougars pushed the pace in the third but were not getting rewarded for their hard work, as the ‘Horns defense thwarted the majority of the chances early.
 
With just less than five minutes to play, the ‘Horns were able to double the lead; Reeves walked off the half wall and hit a streaking Reithmayer, who made no mistake beating Kilgour glove side.
 
From that point on, the Cougars swarmed the ‘Horns end but could not beat Patterson until the final minute. With the goalie pulled and a mad scramble around the crease, Dawson found a loose puck to the side of the net and shoveled over a down and out Patterson. That would be as close as they would get.
 
Patterson finished the night with 27 saves, while her counterpart, Kilgour, turned aside 25 of the 27 ‘Horns shots.
 
Game two of the home-and-home series goes tomorrow night in Calgary at the Flames Community Arena, puck drop is set for 7:00pm, and the game will be webcast on www.canadawest.tv .