LETHBRIDGE – Entering the final weekend of conference action, the Lethbridge Pronghorns need a pair of wins at home over the Regina Cougars and some help from the Manitoba Bisons if they are going to end a five-year playoff drought.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will hit the ice at Nicholas Sheran Arena Friday night at 7:00pm and Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm. Both games will be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv.
 
Friday night's game will also the Pronghorns men's hockey Student's Union Food Bank drive night, with free admission for anyone that brings a non-perishable food item.
 
A Look at the Teams:
 
An eight-game losing streak has put the Pronghorns (8-15-3) playoff aspirations on life support and they no longer control their own destiny. Four points back of the Calgary Dinos, the Pronghorns need to sweep the Cougars this weekend and hope that the Dinos do not earn a point this weekend if they are to steal the final playoff spot.
 
The Pronghorns have scored the fewest goals in Canada West this season with 66 and allowed the second most against at 112.
 
Regina (3-21-2), eliminated from post-season contention, enters the final weekend mired in a 12 game losing streak but their last win did come against the Pronghorns, November 25^th in Regina, 5-2. The Pronghorns beat the Cougars the day before, 6-2.
 
The Cougars have allowed the most goals in Canada West with 134 in 26 games. Regina has also scored the second fewest goals for with 67.
 
Key Players:
 
Captain Mitch Maxwell will play in his final home games this weekend, along with fellow seniors Brandon Clowes and Ryon Moser. Maxwell leads the team with eight goals and 19 assists. He also enters his final conference games with 30 career goals and 104 career points in 136 games.
 
Freshman defenceman Dallas Valentine is tied for second in Pronghorn scoring with Justin Valanetino at 16 points and leads all Canada West first-year defenceman.
 
Regina rookie Zak Zborosky leads the Cougars in scoring with nine goals and 13 assists, which also places him second among all freshman in Canada West.
 
Cody Fowlie (7g, 12a) and Ian McNulty (6g, 13a) sit second on the Cougars scoring list with 19 points each.
 
Up Next:
 
If the Pronghorns qualify for the post-season, the team will most likely travel to Winnipeg for a best of three quarter-final.