LETHBRIDGE – Coming off a weekend bye, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team returns to conference action this weekend in a home-and-home set with the nationally ranked Mount Royal Cougars.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will open the first of two weekend series in Calgary Friday night at the Flames Community Arena with the back half of the home-and-home set in Lethbridge Saturday night. Puck drop for both nights is slated for 7:00 pm and both with be streamed live on www.canadawest.tv, presented by Co-op.
 
During preseason, the two teams squared off twice with MRU winning both contests, 6-0 in Okotoks and 3-2 in Lethbridge.
 
A look at the teams:
 
Facing a ranked team for the third series in a row, the Pronghorns (3-5-0) look to put an end to a four game losing streak this weekend. In their last action, the Pronghorns were swept by the second ranked Alberta Golden Bears. Prior to the current streak, the Pronghorns had won three straight games.
 
Statistically, the Pronghorns sit sixth in goal scoring with 21 goals and are ranked seventh defensively allowing 36 goals against.
 
Through the first eight games, the Pronghorns have the top ranked penalty killing in Canada West, operating at 83.8%. The power play sits fifth (21.7%).
 
Assistant captain Brooks Maxwell leads the offensive attack for the Pronghorns with three goals and four assists, while defenceman Dallas Valentine sits one point back with one goal and five assists.
 
The Cougars (6-2-0), who are ranked ninth in the country, have been on an offensive tear to start the Canada West season, leading the conference in goals scored with 39, including holding the top ranked power play, hitting on 34.9% of their chances. The Cougars also sit third in goals against, allowing 24 goals against in eight games.
 
Currently, the Cougars have five of the top ten scorers in Canada West. Riley Lindgren leads the way with six goals and seven assists, while Keegan Iverson (4G, 8A) and Connor Rankin (3G, 9A) both have 12 points.
 
Blueliner Jesse Lees leads all Canada West defencemen in scoring with four goals and seven assists.
 
Up Next:
 
The Pronghorns head out on the road next weekend, traveling to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds.