Box Score Lethbridge – Relentless offensive pressure, including two shorthanded goals in less than two minute span, led the nation's top ranked Alberta Golden Bears to a commanding 6-1 victory, Friday night, over the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
The win improves the Bears record to 20-3-0 on the season and widening their lead for first place to eight points. Meanwhile the 'Horns fall to 4-19-0 on the season.
Thomas Carr, Brett Ferguson, Johnny Lazo, and Rhett Rachinski each netted individual markers while T.J. Foster managed to net two on the night. Brock Hirsche scored the lone Lethbridge goal.
Kurtis Mucha got the start for Alberta and went on to stop all but on of the 22 shots he faced. Damian Ketlo started in net for Lethbridge and faced a total of 53 shots.
Both teams looked hungry for an early go-ahead goal and both teams had a couple great scoring chances in the opening minutes of play.
Lethbridge's Brandon Clowes found Samuel Wilbur in the slot but his shot went wide. Corbin Karl also put a hard shot on target, from just inside the blue line, but Mucha stood tall and redirected his shot wide.
In a textbook play, U of A's Brett Ferguson and Stephane Legault combined for a great give-and-go effort, midway through the first period, but after taking the feed back from Legault, Ferguson's quick shot in close was off target.
Alberta seemed to up their offensive pressure as Jordan Hickmott connected with T.J. Foster, in position on the doorstep, but he was unable to put it away. Mitch Topping and Brett Ferguson each had solid scoring chances, as did Dylan Bredo, who was fed a great outlet pass off the draw but his shot was gloved down by Ketlo
U of A continued to unload shots from all over, holding the 'Horns to only three shots in the opening frame, but the score would remain deadlocked at zeros at the end of the first period.
It took less than two minutes for Ferguson to put Alberta on the scoreboard, securing his seventh goal of the season. Stephane Legault tried to tuck one past Ketlo to quickly double-up his team's lead but the Lethbridge keeper flashed his pad and kicked the shot wide.
Alberta's relentless attack continued and Ketlo was forced to make great stops on Jordan Hickmott, Brennan Yadlowski, and Zack Dailey, who came flying into the zone with speed but couldn't convert.
With enough persistence, the momentum would change soon enough, and Alberta quickly widened the gap with not one but two shorthanded goals. With Yadlowski in the box for interference, Carr unloaded a rocket through traffic that would find it's way through and into the back of the net and, less than two minutes later, Lazo took a great pass from Jordan Rowley, and also managed to sneak one past an unsuspecting Ketlo.
Mitch Maxwell and Daniel Iwanski each had solid scoring chances late in the frame but Mucha withstood the pressure, keeping the 'Horns scoreless as they headed into the second intermission.
The Golden Bears extended their lead early in the third, adding two markers in under two minutes, both courtesy of T. J. Foster.
Hirsche scored for Lethbridge midway through the frame and while it was enough to spoil the shut-out for Mucha, it would be as close as the 'Horns would come.
Held to four shots in the period and outshot 53-22 through three periods, the Pronghorns will look to bounce back, tomorrow night, as they square off for the second half of a two-game weekend matchup.
