Box Score

Lethbridge - The University of Alberta Pandas bested the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns 4-2, Friday night, in the first of a two game series at Nicholas Sheran Arena.
 
Alison Campbell and Deanna Morin each netted individual markers for the Pandas while Tess Houston added two on the night.  Kirsten Reeves and Sarah Spence scored for Lethbridge.
 
Michala Jeffries got the start for U of A and stood tall between the pipes, stopping twenty of the twenty-two shots she faced. In net for the Pronghorns was Crystal Patterson, who faced 33 shots on the night.
 
A nearly textbook play by Jessica Kampjes and Campbell put the Pandas on the board first. Kampjes delivered a perfect tape to tape pass to a streaking Campbell who would put the puck past the Horns netminder, who was unable to get into position in time.
 
Janelle Froler tried to connect with Katie Stewart using the same play only a few minutes later but the play was broken up by the Horns defense.
 
The Horns offensive systems seemed to be working and, as a result, they were getting good scoring chances in the Pandas zone. Megan Bailey got a shot off from just in front of Jeffries but it just missed the net and Glenda Edie unloaded a hard shot from inside the blue line that soared into traffic where it was tipped wide.
 
Outshot by the Pandas, 10-8, through the opening frame, the Horns looked to bounce back after the first break.
 
Tess Houston added the lone goal in the second period. Flying into Horns territory, Houston lifted a quick shot high glove side over Patterson's left shoulder, her sixth of the season, doubling her team's lead midway through frame.
 
Five minutes into the third, Lethbridge's Spence cut the Pandas lead in half. Cutting in hard from the left face-off circle, the second year forward put a quick backhand shot top corner, past Jeffries.
 
Morin added a late goal for the Pandas, at 13:40. Her nice shot, high blocker side, widened their lead to 4-1.
 
With just less than four minutes remaining, Reeves netted a great goal from a tough angle but that's as close as the Horns would come, dropping a 4-2 decision in regulation.
 
The 'Horns to fall to 7-13-5 and their playoffs are on life support; trailing the Calgary Dinos by three points for the final spot with only three games to play. The Pandas continue their hot streak of late, winning their fifth in a row and improve to 17-5-3, but remain two points behind the UBC Thunderbirds for top spot in the conference after the T-Birds beat Mount Royal Cougars tonight.
 
Game two of the weekend series goes tomorrow night at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drop  is set for 7pm and the game will be streamed live at http://canadawest.tv.