VANCOUVER – Lead by a tremendous goaltending performance from Alicia Anderson, Lethbridge Pronghorns opened the 2018-19 Canada West season with an impressive road victory, 2-0 over the UBC Thunderbirds Friday night at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.

The T-Birds outshot the Pronghorns 41-26 and put up 19 shots in the first period alone, but the fourth-year goaltender made terrific save after terrific save, frustrating UBC in their attempt to get on the scoreboard.The shutout was the fifth of Anderson's career.

Both Pronghorns goals came by way of the power play in the opening frame as they staked out the two-goal lead by the 14:00 mark. Despite six power play chances of their own, the 'Birds were unable to find the back of the net, dropping their season opener for the second straight season. As for the 'Horns, it was their second straight season opener with a victory, but their first win over UBC since 2016 and their first win in Vancouver since October 2015.

The game was marked by a parade to the penalty box for both sides. The 'Birds had six power play chances while the Pronghorns finished the game 2-for-7.

While on their second man advantage of the game just eight and a half minutes into the first, the 'Horns opened scoring on what would stand as the game winner when Tricia Van Vaerenbergh pounced on a rebound at the side of the crease off an Eryn Johanson shot.

The visitors doubled their lead with exactly six minutes remaining in the frame when Kyra Greig took a feed from Katelyn Breitkreuz, beating UBC goaltender Amelia Boughn from the same spot.

It was all the offence the Pronghorns needed thanks to Anderson's heroics. The T-Birds pulled Boughn in the final minute but couldn't manage to generate anything at the other end of the ice.

The 'Birds will push for the series split Saturday when the two rematch at 2:00 p.m. PT, once again at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. Catch all the action at www.canadawest.tv.