Lethbridge – Before heading into the semester break, the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's hockey team faces an important home-and-home series with southern Alberta rival Calgary Dinos.
 
Separated by only one point, the weekend set begins Friday night in Calgary and the back half of the home-and-home set will take place at Nicolas Sheran Arena Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm and both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
 
"Calgary has proven to be a tough opponent for us in the past," said Pronghorn head coach Michelle Janus. "Their disciplined structure makes finding quality scoring chances harder to capitalize on."
 
"A key factor for our team to find success will be having a strong start on Friday night; playing with speed and intensity and winning races to the loose pucks. Also, taking care of the puck in all zones; we want our passes to be executed at a high pace."
 
"Our power play units are also due for some goals. We seem to be getting good looks at the net, all that's left is to put in the loose rebounds."
 
During the opening weekend of the Canada West season, the teams spilt the two games with both teams winning 1-0 on their home ice.
 
A look at the teams:
 
The expectations for this weekend's should be for close, low scoring games as both team's rank among the best in goals against but near or at the bottom in goals for.
 
At the mid-point of the conference schedule, the Pronghorns have allowed the fewest goals against in Canada West, allowing only 20 goals against, but are also tied for the second fewest goals scored with 17.
 
Calgary sits third in goals against, surrendering only 22 goals but have scored the fewest goals this season with only 13 goals in in 14 games.
 
Players to watch:
 
In what is shaping up to be a goaltenders duel, expected starters, Pronghorn Alicia Anderson and second-year Dino Kelsey Roberts have the two best save percentages in the conference.
 
Anderson leads Canada West with a save percentage of 0.963. She has also played the most minutes and leads the conference in total saves with 486. She sits third in goals against-average at 1.40.
 
Roberts, following three shutout wins in her last six starts, sits right behind Anderson with a 0.956 save percentage and 428 saves. Roberts sports a 1.62 goals against-average.
 
Offensively, neither team has anyone in the top 20 of Canada West scoring.
 
Tricia Van Vaerenbergh leads the Pronghorns with four goals and six points, while Katelyn Breitkruez and Jodi Gentile each have five points this season.
 
For the Dinos, Laine Grace leads her team in points with two goals and three assists, while Sage Desjardins leads the Dinos in goals with three.
 
Next Up:
The Pronghorns will return to Canada West play January 5^th and 6^th, traveling to Saskatoon to face the Saskatchewan Huskies.
 
 
 
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