Lethbridge – After narrowly missing the post-season a year ago, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's hockey team looks to make the next step this season and open the 2016-17 season, hosting the Manitoba Bisons.
 
The 'Horns and Bisons will hit the ice at Nicholas Sheran Arena, Friday night at 7:00pm and Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm. Both games will also be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
The 2015-16 campaign was an up and down season for the Pronghorns. Under the guidance of first-year bench boss Michelle Janus, the 'Horns stormed out of the gates winning seven of their first eight games and reaching fourth on the CIS Top Ten list.
 
Following the great start, the 'Horns hit a rough patch, losing seven straight but went right down to the final weekend of the season with chance to make the post-season, but in the end the 'Horns missed the playoffs by a single point.
 
The 'Horns did graduate some high end players from last year's team in leading goal scorer Kirsten Reeves and point leader Jocelyn Sabourin, but they return 18 players from last season and have added some new talent expected to make an impact this season.
 
However, success for the Pronghorns this season will start from the goal line out and Alicia Anderson will be a key factor if the 'Horns are able to make that next step and qualify for the post-season. As a freshman, Anderson won her seven of her first nine starts and finished the season with a 2.28 goals-against-average and a 0.927 save percentage in 25 appearances.
 
The Bisons finished fifth during the regular season last year with a 13-13-2 record but then went on a magical playoff run on the road, going right down to game three of the Canada West final before losing to the UBC Thunderbirds.
 
In the Canada West playoffs, the Bisons played the maximum nine games, winning the first round in Saskatoon in a dramatic game three that went to a fifth overtime period. In the semi-finals, the Bisons again relied on overtime heroics again in game three, knocking off the Alberta Pandas in Edmonton.
 
The Bisons return leading scorer Alanna Sharman, who lead the Bisons in goals (10), assists (12) and points (22) and goaltending tandem of Rachel Dyck and Amanda Schubert. Dyck lead the Bisons with eight wins, while Schubert recorded three shutouts and the duo helped the Bisons to allow the second fewest goals against in Canada West last season.
 
Next weekend, the 'Horns will head out on the road, traveling to Regina to face the Cougars, before returning home the following weekend to host the Saskatchewan Huskies.