‘Horns aim to get back into playoff picture this weekend against Bisons

1/21/2016 1:44:00 PM


Lethbridge – After splitting last weekend's two game set with the University of Regina Cougars, the Pronghorns Men's hockey team is back in the Nicolas Sheran arena to take on the University of Manitoba Bisons.
 
The 'Horns opened up last weekend with a 6-4 W over the Cougars, but fell to the same Cougars team 6-3 24 hours later. The Bisons lost both games in Calgary to the Mount Royal Cougars by scores of 3-2 and 3-1.
 
The 'Horns and Bisons will face off on Friday at 7:00pm and Saturday at 1:00pm at the Nicholas Sheran arena. If you can't make it out to the rink, the games will be available on www.canadawest.tv.
 
The 'Horns, who sit 7th in Canada West and sport a 7-12-1 record, will take on 5th place Manitoba, who are .500 with a 9-9-2 record. Both teams have struggled recently, as the 'Horns are 3-7-0 in their last 10, while the Bisons are 4-6-0.
 
Going on the road might just be what the doctor ordered for the Bisons, as they are red hot away from home, putting up a 5-2-1 record in hostile territory. The 'Horns struggle at home as well, going 4-6-0 so far this season.
 
The Bisons and 'Horns are in the same boat when it comes to the penalty kill, sitting at 7th and 8th in Canada West, respectively. The edge comes when the power play hits the ice for the Bisons, as they sit 3rd in Canada West, converting on 23.7% of their chances with the extra man. The 'Horns, in contrast, are last in Canada West and only bury it 13.8% of the time on the power play.
 
Power play opportunities will be tough to get this weekend, as the 'Horns and Bisons are the two least-penalized teams in the conference. The 'Horns head to the sin bin for 7.2 minutes per game, for a season total of 158 PIM. The Bisons spend 7.2 minutes in the box, for a season total of 143 PIM.
 
'Horns freshman, and Lanny McDonald's nephew, Zane Jones, continues to impress in his rookie campaign, recording 4 goals and 8 assists, good for 3rd on the team in points.
 
Junior forward Jordan DePape of the Bisons is absolutely tearing it up this season, scoring 12 goals and 32 points in 20 games, good for 1.6 points per game. He boasts a solid +10 rating and has rifled 83 shots on goal.
 
Next weekend, the 'Horns travel to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds.
 
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