Box Score Lethbridge – The Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team will put a wrap on the 2014-15 Canada West season this week when they host the UBC Thunderbirds.
Due to Canada West sending the men's hockey entry for World University games, this week's match up will be Thursday and Friday night instead of the traditional Friday-Saturday series. Puck drop for both games will be at 7:00pm at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Both games will also be streamed live on
http://canadawest.tv.
The Pronghorn men's hockey program is participating in a head shave fundraiser campaign in support of teammate Dylan Tait and athletic therapist and equipment manager Brennan Mahon, who were both diagnosed with testicular cancer this year.
Following Friday night's game, members of the men's hockey team will be shaving their heads in support of their brothers, Dylan and Brennan in their fight. All donations received will be put towards testicular cancer research and awareness. Donations can be made online at:
http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?team_id=323866&pg=team&fr_id=19023&s_locale=en_CA&et=OALQsVRlE7xIvJpGtd.
Mired in a six-game losing streak, the 'Horns (4-22-0) will try to finish a disappointing season on a positive note and play the role of spoiler versus the Thunderbirds. Entering the final series of the regular season, the T-Birds (12-9-5) are one point ahead of the Manitoba Bisons for fourth place and a home playoff date.
Odds are the Thunderbirds and Bisons will face off in the opening round of the post-season but this week's results will determine who has home ice advantage. The Bisons face the Mount Royal Cougars in Calgary.
The Thunderbirds have been one of the hottest teams in the conference and come to Lethbridge undefeated in regulation time in their last seven games with their only blemishes during that streak being a pair of overtime loses, one to the Saskatchewan Huskies and other to the Regina Cougars.
Players to watch: Mitch Maxwell is the lone Pronghorn to be named to the Universiade team that will compete in Granada, Spain and is tied for third on the 'Horns with 12 points. Ryon Moser leads the team in points with 14 and Brandon Clowes continues to lead the 'Horns in goals with eight.
The Thunderbirds will also send one player to the Winter Universiade with Neil Manning carrying the Thunderbird colors. The former Vancouver Giant has eight assists and is a plus 10 this season from his blue line position.
Anthony Bardaro leads the T-Birds in scoring with five goals and 15 assists, while Cole Wilson leads the team in goals with 11.
In the crease, Matt Hewitt has started the last three games for the Thunderbirds and has earned shutouts in two of those games.
