Lethbridge – Heading into the final weeks of action of the first semester, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team faces a good test this weekend, facing the U Sports sixth ranked Mount Royal Cougars in a home-and-home series.
 
The weekend set begins Friday night at Nicholas Sheran Arena, puck drop is set for 7:00pm. The back half of the series will go Saturday night at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary at 6:00pm. Both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv, home of all Canada West webcasts.
 
The 'Horns (3-4-3) come off a weekend split in Winnipeg versus the Manitoba Bisons and have earned points in four of five weekend series so far, but need to string together some wins if they are to separate themselves from the UBC Thunderbirds and move up the standings.
 
Nearing the mid-point of the season, the 'Horns have scored the third fewest goals in Canada West with 29 goals and have allowed 32 goals against. On specialty teams, the 'Horns have the third best penalty killing numbers, operating at 86.8%, but have the sixth ranked power play (13.3%).
 
Individually, Justin Valentino leads the 'Horns in scoring with seven goals and two assists. His seven goals has him tied for second on the Canada West goals list. Captain Tim Campbell sits second on the team with three goals and five assists.
 
The Cougars (7-3-0) raced out to a 4-0 start, but are 3-3 in their last six games. Mount Royal swept Regina last weekend in the battle of the Cougars, with convincing 7-0 and 6-2 wins.
 
Through 10 games, the Cougars are the highest scoring team in the conference, averaging 4.2 goals per game. They have also only allowed 23 goals against, which ranks them also first in the conference.
 
Former Lethbridge Hurricane and Canada West rookie Jamal Watson leads the Cougars with six goals and six assists in 10 games, he is also tied for the rookie scoring lead in Canada West.
 
Colin Cooper looks to have solidified his role as the Cougars starting goaltender, playing in nine of the Cougars' 10 games and sports a sparkling 1.97 goals-against-average and a 0.924 save percentage.
 
The 'Horns will play their final home games of the first semester next weekend, hosting the Alberta Golden Bears.
 
 
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