Lethbridge – After opening the 2015-16 season with an impressive road sweep of the UBC Thunderbirds, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's hockey team (2-0-0) is on the road again this weekend, traveling to Edmonton to face the always tough Alberta Pandas (1-1-0).
Game times are set for 7:00 p.m. on Friday night and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena.
In the 'Horns swept of the UBC, who were ranked in the CIS top 10 at the end of last season, first-year goaltender Alicia Anderson had an exceptional debut in blue and gold. Anderson stopped 61 of 63 shots she faced and was named the Canada West Female Third Star of the week in the process.
Specialty teams were also a key to the Pronghorn success in Vancouver; all five of the team's goals on weekend were scored on the power play and the 'Horns killed off all 10 UBC power play situations.
Showing a balance that the team hasn't previously had, five different Pronghorns scored last weekend. Fourth-year defender Jocelyn Sabourin leads the team in scoring with a goal and three assists. Sabourin has already equaled her career high in points that she set as a freshman.
The defending Canada West Champion, Alberta Pandas opened the conference schedule as well last weekend on the road, splitting their series with the Manitoba Bisons, in a rematch from last season's Canada West final. The Bisons clipped the Pandas 2-1 before the Pandas shut out the Bisons 4-0.
Similar to the 'Horns, the Pandas looked to have balance throughout their line up with five different goal scores last weekend and only four players that earned two points in Winnipeg.
In the crease, if the opening weekend is any indication, the Pandas will have a formidable tandem between the pipes. Canada West first-team all-star Lindsay Post lead the conference in every goaltending category last season, wins (20), shutouts (10), GAA (1.18) and save percentage (0.940).
Freshman Dayna Owen recorded a shutout in her Canada West debut last Sunday, stopping all 16 shots she faced.
The 'Horns will finally host their home opener next weekend, hosting the Saskatchewan Huskies for a pair of games.
-30-
