Box Score
Lethbridge – A day after dropping a close game, Justin Valentino broke a 2-2 deadlock late in the third to lift the Lethbridge Pronghorns to a 4-2 win over the Regina Cougars to earn the season opening split with the Cougars.
With just under two minutes remaining in the game, Justin Valentino turned hero breaking the 2-2 contest, walking across the Cougars crease, outwaiting the Cougar netminder and beating the down and out Andy Desautels short side.
Cory Millette, Tim Campbell and Dalton Sward scored the other Pronghorn goals. Dillon McCombie and Logan Harland replied for the Cougars.
'Horns goaltender Garret Hughson made 35 saves to earn his first Canada West win. His counterpart Desautels turned away 34 Pronghorn shots.
For the second game in a row, the Pronghorns opened the scoring in the first period. Former Lethbridge Hurricane Cory Millette picked up his first career Canada West goal while on the power play, collecting a loose puck during a goal mouth scramble and tucking it home.
Before the period was out, the Cougars would tie the score on a power play of their own. Dillan McCombie walked off the half way, getting to the slot and beating 'Horns freshman Garret Hughson low to the glove side.
Shots in the opening frame favored the Cougars 13-10.
Just past the five minute mark of the second, the 'Horns regained the one goal lead. The team's leading goal scorer from a year ago and newly named Captain Tim Campbell picked up his first of the season. Campbell's shot from the point hit the post but bounced off the leg of netminder Andy Desautels and across the goal line.
The Cougars had two power plays in the period but were unable to capitalize.
However, the Cougars would tie the score just short of the half way mark of the third period. A wild bounce off the back board, went towards the net and Harland was johnny on the spot to jam home his first career goal.
Following Valentino's go ahead goal, Sward out raced a Cougar defender to score into the empty net to seal the 'Horns victory.
Next weekend, the 'Horns head out on the road, and face a stiff early season test, facing the defending Canada West Champion Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon. The Cougars will return home for their home opener, hosting the Manitoba Bisons.
