Box Score EDMONTON – Jordan Hickmott recorded his 100th career goal, as the University of Alberta Golden Bears hockey team (11-3-1) steamrolled the Lethbridge Pronghorns 10-1 Friday night at Clare Drake Arena.
Levko Koper and Rhett Rachinski scored twice each, while James Dobrowolski, Stephane Legault, Jamie Crooks and Brayden Low also found the scoresheet for Alberta. Brandon Clowes scored the only goal for Lethbridge in defeat.
Sophomore goalie Ryan Demharter made 21 saves for his first career win, in this his second season with the Golden Bears program. The start was also the first since 2010 for Demharter, when he played for the Whitecourt Wolverines of the NWJHL.
The offensive onslaught started early for the Golden Bears, scoring three goals in the opening five minutes, and five overall in the first period. On just the second shot of the game and 61 seconds in, Koper's one-timer from the slot beat Dylan Tait five-hole, to open the scoring. However, only 28 seconds later, and on their first shot of the game, Clowes beat Demharter over the shoulder to even things at one.
That would be the only offense the 'Horns could muster all game, as Dobrowolski would score less than a minute later to restore the Bear lead. Low would join in just three minutes later, converting on a beauty end-to-end rush, to put the Bears up two. The goal was also the third on four shots for Tait, ending his night after just five minutes.
However, Damien Ketlo would fair no better in the Lethbridge net, as the first shot he faced was fired into his own net by a teammate, making it 4-1. Hickmott would score his milestone goal to cap off the wild first period.
The second period was much of the same for the Bears, ripping an astonishing 28 shots on net, and scoring three more times. Crooks and Legault would get their firsts of the night, before Koper scored his second of the night on the PP to make it an 8-1 game after 40 minutes.
Rachinski scored both of his goals in the third period, one a deflection of his head and into the net, to cement the nine goal Alberta victory. The Bears also outshot the 'Horns 57-22, while going 4-5 on the powerplay during the game.
The victory was the fifth in a row for the two-time defending University Cup champs, and moves them one point behind Saskatchewan for the top spot in the conference. Lethbridge (6-8-1), meanwhile, dropped their third straight, and fall into sixth place with 13 points on the season.
The Pronghorns won't have much time to dwell on the loss, as the two teams are back in action Saturday night, with puck drop slated for 6:00 p.m.
