Box Score Lethbridge – The division-leading University of Alberta Golden Bears posted yet another wide-margin victory, Saturday night, earning a 7-2 win against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.
Rhett Rachinksi scored twice on the night for the Golden Bears, while Brett Ferguson, Johnny Lazo, Kruise Reddick, Jordan Hickmott, and Levko Koper each added singles.
Hayden Rintoul and Sam Wilbur each scored for Lethbridge.
Luke Seimens got the start for Alberta and looked solid between the pipes, stopping all but 2 of the 30 shots he faced. Damien Ketlo started for the Pronghorns and faced a total of 46 shots.
The opening minutes of play were fast-paced and frantic, as each team looked to materialize some early scoring chances. Brett Ferguson, Stephane Legault, and Jordan Rowley each had good chances for the Golden Bears.
Lethbridge struck first, on their first shot of the game, at 2:34. Rintoul's hard wrister went up and over the Seimens' shoulder and into the back of the net. Thirty seconds later, Koper went hard left with speed and put a great shot top shelf past Ketlo to even things right back up.
With Jordan Rowley and Riley Keiser each called for high-sticking infractions a mere seven seconds apart, the 'Horns would look to capitalize on an extended 5-on-3 opportunity. But Seimens had other plans and withstood nearly two full minutes shorthanded.
Reddick unloaded a sniper of a shot that soared into the net, at 17:07, and Ferguson followed his linemate's effort with another rocket into the same top shelf slot, widening his team's lead to two before the end of the first.
Rachinski scored his first of the night with a great backhanded effort, at 6:33 in the second period.
Wilbur answered back for Lethbridge midway through the frame, from Ryon Moser and Brandon Clowes, which brought them back within two.
With Clowes serving time for slashing early in the third period, U of A nette their first of three unanswered power play goals. Hickmott put a shot on target that was redirected in by Rachinski, his second of the night.
Hickmott scored one of his own a few minutes later, again from the point, and Lazo made the most of another 'Horns penalty, securing his team's seventh goal of the night and his seventh of the regular season.
The win vaults the Bears to 21-3-0 on the season and 10 points clear of the Calgary Dinos for top spot in Canada West. The 'Horns fall to 4-20-0 and will look to rebound next weekend in a home-and-home series with the Calgary Dinos. The Bears face the Mount Royal Cougars next weekend in a home-and-home series as well.
