Box Score

Lethbridge - The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns played host to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Friday night, in their final home weekend series of the 2012-13 regular season. Despite outshooting the home team 56-19 through three periods, the Huskies required extra time to earn a 2-1 road win.
 
Jimmy Bubnick and Brennen Bosch scored for the Huskies while Kyle McLachlan netted the lone goal for Lethbridge.

Starting in net for Saskatchewan was David Reekie who turned aside all but one of the 19 shots he faced while Dylan Tait got the start for Lethbridge and was outstanding from the opening face-off, facing a grand total of 56 shots on the night.

An early Horns’ power play got the puck moving for the home team; great shots from David McMullen and Tim Campbell came close but wouldn’t manage to crack Reekie, who stood tall between the pipes.

With Mark Hall in the box for hooking, Tait was tested repeatedly against a strong Huskies power play unit and rose to the occasion, denying efforts by Derek Hulak and Brandon Herrod.

Breaking out on an unlikely shorthanded 2-on-0, Horns’ captain Dan Iwanksi came streaking into the Huskies end with line-mate Brent Henke. Choosing not to pass, Iwanski faked left but his quick shot was denied by Reekie.

The Huskies scoring chances were adding up quickly, including a hard blast from Hulak that hit the post but went wide. A turnover in the neutral zone allowed Jordan Peddle to break out and go toe-to-toe with Tait but the Horns’ keeper kept with him the whole way and denied his solid effort on the doorstep.

Peppered with shots all period, Tait kept the Horns’ in it, with shots after two periods of play sitting at a lop-sided 40-9.
Both teams looked hungry for the win as the third period got underway. Each team came out blazing, with scoring chances ringing out at each end of the ice.

A chip into open ice from Max Moline, a little past the seven minute mark of the third, allowed McLaughlin to net the first goal of the game, bringing the crowd to their feet. Gathering steam from his own end, he powered his way into the attacking zone and unloaded a hard slap shot from just inside the blue line that soared blocker-side past Reekie.
 
Their lead was short-lived though. Bubnik knotted things at ones less than a minute later. In close, his quick stick spoiled any lingering hopes of a Lethbridge shut-out.

The Horns’ offensive unit, looking stronger in the third than all game, continued to put pressure on the Huskies’ netminder, looking for a game winner as the frame drew to a close. David McMullen’s hard shot was gloved down and Hayden Rintoul looked like he found an opening with Reekie seemingly down and out. But, in what would be the highlight of the night,  Reekie’s amazing acrobatic effort, stacking the pads, kept the game tied at one with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.

It took under a minute of overtime action to decide a winner. Kyle Bortis, in behind the net, found Bosch in the slot whose low stick-side one-timer was too quick to catch.

With this win, the Huskies improve to 18-8-1 (CW) while the Pronghorns fall to 2-21-4 (CW). Game two of the weekend series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm and the game on www.canadawest.tv