Box Score Lethbridge - The Pronghorns erupted for three goals in the third period to knock off the CIS #8 ranked UBC Thunderbirds 3-2 Saturday night in Lethbridge. The loss was the first in regulation for the T-Birds (6-1-2) this season and marks the second consecutive win for the 'Horns (3-5-1).
 
Fifth-year goalie Dylan Tait got the start for the Pronghorns making 27 saves on the night while UBC's Matt Hewitt brought his sparkling 1.58 goals-against-average into tonight's contest and turned aside 34 of 37 shots in the loss.
 
The 'Horns got the first scoring chance of the game at the four-minute mark as senior forward Cass Mappin broke in alone on the right wing but his low shot couldn't beat Hewitt on the short side. A minute later the T-Birds would get on the board first as 2^nd year forward Manraj Hayer took a pass from Adam Rossignol off a face-off, went wide left, and ripped a wrist-shot up high and over Tait's right shoulder.
 
A 'Horns power play with six minutes left in the 1^st registered four shots on goal but they couldn't score with the man advantage. Lethbridge continued to apply pressure late in the first, forcing multiple turnovers in UBC's end and generating quality chances but Hewitt was up to the task.
 
Shots on goal favoured the Pronghorns 14-9 after the first period.
 
Play evened out with neither team generating much offense in the second period. Shots were 10-10 in the middle frame and both the Pronghorns and Thunderbirds failed to capitalize on a pair of power play opportunities. Late in the period Dalton Sward had a glorious chance with Hewitt sprawled in front of the net but his shot sailed past the goalie and rang off the post to keep the 'Horns off the scoreboard.
 
The 'Horns dictated the pace early in the third period as Mappin had another scoring chance in close in the opening minute but was turned aside by Hewitt.
 
The continued pressure paid off as 1^st year defenseman Tyler Hansen potted his first career goal at the four-minute mark of the final frame. Less than a minute later Brandon Clowes buried his fourth of the season to put the Pronghorns up 2-1.
 
A quick timeout gave the T-Birds a chance to regroup and put the play back into the 'Horns end. A nice cycle behind the net by T-Bird forwards Joel Hamilton and Jessi Hilton resulted in a Hilton wrap-around goal that slid behind Tait to tie the game 2-2.
 
With less than three minutes remaining in the game the 'Horns won a faceoff in the offensive zone and Zane Jones blasted a shot from the point that was deflected neatly by Mitchell Maxwell to give the Pronghorns a 3-2 lead.
 
UBC pulled their goalie with 1:30 left but could not get set-up inside the 'Horns end to take advantage of the extra attacker and the Pronghorns held on for the win.

"I'm very proud of the way we played tonight; that's the first full 60 minute game of excellent process," said head coach Spiros Anastas. "When we were down 1-0, we just had an overwhelming confidence on the bench that our process would get us the win."

"This team is coming together and anyone who plays us will face a team that is ready to fight to the end."

"That is what we have to be and we showed it once again tonight."
 
The 'Horns and Thunderbirds will renew acquaintances Sunday afternoon. Puck drops at 1:00pm at Nicholas Sheran Arena.