LETHBRIDGE – In need of two points to clinch a playoff spot, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team hits the road to face the top ranked Alberta Golden Bears.
 
The Pronghorns will take on the Bears at Clare Drake Arena, Friday night and Saturday night at at 7:00 p.m. Catch all the action on www.canadawest.tv.
 
A look at the teams
 
After beating the Manitoba Bisons Friday night, the Pronghorns (8-14-2) had a chance to officially clinch a playoff spot Saturday afternoon but were unable to complete the sweep of the Bisons. With four games to play the Pronghorns are six points ahead of Manitoba and hold the tie breaker after winning the season series.
 
With any combination of a Pronghorn win or Bison loss the Pronghorns will return to the post-season for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
 
Following a sweep of the Regina Cougars last weekend, the Golden Bears have now won nine straight conference games and moved up to first in the U SPORTS Top 10. Entering the final two weekends of Canada West action the Bears sit in second place one point behind the Saskatchewan Huskies for top spot.
 
Statistically, the Bears are tops in the conference in goals for (110), goals against (45) and penalty killing (91.5%) and have the second ranked power play (25%). The Pronghorns are ranked fifth in both goals for (61) and goals against (85) but have struggled with the man advantage tied for seventh at 11.4%.
 
Players to watch
 
In his final season as a Pronghorn Justin Valentino is averaging a point a game and sits tied for seventh in Canada West scoring with 8 goals and 16 assists.
 
After missing a large chunk of the first half, Brooks Maxwell seems to be finding his stride and enters this weekend on a four game point streak. He has four goals and six assists in 14 games this season.
 
Goaltender Garret Hughson has started 10 straight games for the Pronghorns and sits fourth in Canada West save percentage at 0.916.
 
Third-year Bear forward Luke Philp has been on an absolute tear for Alberta and leads the conference in scoring with 20 goals and 17 assists in 20 games. Since the semester break, Philp has recorded 11 goals and six assists in eight games.
 
Teammate Cole Sanford sits second in Canada West scoring with 11 goals and 20 assists thus far.
 
Zac Sawchenko has carried the bulk of the load in the Bears crease this season and leads Canada West with a 1.57 goals-against average.
 
Up Next
 
The Pronghorns will take on the Mount Royal Cougars in a home-and-home series to finish the conference schedule next weekend, starting Friday night in Calgary.