Box Score
 
 
Lethbridge – In the Canada West season opener for both teams, the Lethbridge Pronghorns dropped a close tight checking decision, 2-1 to the Regina Cougars.
 
Dalton Sward scored for the Pronghorns, while JJ Coleshaw and Cody Fowlie replied for the Cougars.
 
In the first period, quality chances were hard to come by as each team would not allow the other to gain any momentum in the offensive end.
 
After the teams settled in, the 'Horns were able to get some good looks early but couldn't find the mark or beat Cougar goaltender Andy Desautels. The Cougars also wouldn't allow the 'Horns second chance opportunities when rebounds were available.
 
With three minutes remaining in the opening frame, the 'Horns finally did beat Desautels. Dalton Sward cut across the net, outwaiting Desautels and slid the puck around the sprawled netminder.
 
At the end of the period, the 'Horns held a slim 11-9 lead on shots on goal.
 
Much of the same tight checking play continued in the second period and despite swapping power plays, neither team could add the scoring through the first 15 minutes of the second period.
 
However, the Cougars would draw even with just over four minutes remaining. JJ Coleshaw took a wild bounce of the back boards and jammed the puck past an unsuspecting Garett Hughson.
 
To start the third, the Cougars jumped out of the gate, outshooting the 'Horns 12-2 in the opening nine minutes of the period, but Hughson weathered the storm and kept the game deadlocked.
 
Connor Sanvido had a glorious chance to put the 'Horns up, breaking into the Cougars end and cutting to the middle of the slot but Desautels got the knob of stick on the shot to rob Sanvido.
 
Off an innocent looking play, the Cougars took their first lead of the game. Landon Peel threw the puck towards the net, ricocheting off a player and front and right on to the stick of Fowlie, who made no mistake into the open side.
 
Looking to make a comeback, two consecutive penalties stalled the 'Horns attack until the final four minutes.  Even with the goalie pulled, the 'Horns struggled to break thorough the Cougar defensive structure.
 
With 19 shots in the third period, the Cougars finished the night with 38 and the Pronghorns directed 29 shots at Desautels. In his CIS debut, Hughson finished the night with 36 saves.
 
Both teams went scoreless with the extra attacker, Regina had four chances and the 'Horns had three.
 
The 'Horns and Cougars will wrap the weekend series tomorrow afternoon at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Puck drops at 1:00pm.