CALGARY- Playing in the final weekend series of the regular season and final tune up before the post season, the Lethbridge Pronghorn men's hockey team surrendered three third period goals and dropped the first half of a home-and-home series with southern Alberta foe Mount Royal Cougars, falling 5-2 at the Flames Community Arena in Calgary

Heading into the final weekend, MRU had dropped six game in a row, be it against the top three of Canada West, which forced a much tighter race for the final home-position playoff spot against UBC. MRU improves to 12-10-5, while the loss drops the Pronghorns to 8-17-2.

Riley Morris stopped 26 on the night on route to his 10^th win of the season meanwhile his counterpart Garret Hughson stopped 19 on the night.

MRU scored a much-needed goal that gave them a sigh of relief just three minutes into the contest on the first of two Jesse Lees goals. The defenseman was deep in the 'Horns zone and jammed the puck into the back of the net on the first Cougar shot on goal.

Moments later, Lethbridge rookie Derek Brown almost leveled the score after he was sent in one-on-one against Riley Morris, beating the surprised Cougar goalie but his quick snapshot didn't beat the iron for the best Pronghorn chance in the period
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On seniors night it was a senior's contribution that doubled the Cougar heading into the first break as David Stephens tapped in a Colton Kroeker pass at 18:50 on the power play for his sixth goal of the season.

Lethbridge began to take over the initiative in the second period and controlled play for most of the frame eventually leveling the game at 2-2.

Landon Gross cut the Cougar lead in half, electing to skate up-ice end-to-end before wrapping the puck around the crease and past a seam that Morris couldn't cover for his fifth goal on the year.

Carrying the momentum, the 'Horns kept the pressure on MRU. Lethbridge found themselves on the man-advantage on a rare ineligible-player penalty resulting in the Pronghorns bringing the game level at 14:48. Justin Valentino jammed home the power play marker for goal number nine on the season for him.
Mount Royal picked up their pace and took over the third period.

After Connor Rankin roofed the puck just 1:12 into the third period to give his side a 3-2 lead, the momentum swung back the MRU way with the help of Lethbridge's penalty troubles.

Lees wired home a shot for the second time on the night for his ninth goal of the season on the power play at 7:13 .

Brad Kennedy effectively iced the match with his empty-net marker to conclude the dominant MRU third period.

MRU keep their chances of hosting UBC on home-ice alive with their win despite the 5-1 victory the 'Birds picked up tonight against Regina. The Cougars need to match or better the result UBC gets tomorrow night to seal hosting privileges.

Meanwhile, Lethbridge clinched a playoff for the first time since the 2012 season last weekend as Manitoba was mathematically eliminated with a loss at the hands of the Thunderbirds. 

The back half of the home-and-home will swing to Lethbridge tomorrow night as both teams will conclude the regular season at Nicholas Sheran Arena, puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m.