CALGARY – With massive playoff implications on the line, the Lethbridge Pronghorns picked up a crucial 3-2 win over the Mount Royal Cougars in the front half of the home-and-home series.
 
Heading into the weekend, the Pronghorns trailed the Cougars by six points for the final playoff spot and with the regulation win, move with in three points heading into tomorrows rematch. The Pronghorns also snapped a eight game losing streak and improve to 7-12-1-3.
 
Brooklyn Palmer, Eryn Johanson and Tallon Stephenson scored for the Pronghorns, while Nicolette Seper and Breanne Trotter replied for Mount Royal.
 
Fifth-year goaltender Alicia Anderson turned aside 23 shots to earn the win.
 
As the opening frame neared the midway mark, the Pronghorns struck twice in 25-seconds. First-year defender Brooklyn Palmer picked up her first career Canada West goal when her wrist shot from the top of the circles went through multiple legs and front and eluded Cougar netminder Zoe DeBeauville.
 
After Eryn Johanson's initial shot was stopped by DeBeauville, she jumped on a rebound and picked up her third of the season to put the Pronghorns up 2-0
 
In the second period, Mount Royal's Nicolette Seper took advantage of a momentary gap in the Pronghorns defence to cut the lead in half and was the lone goal scored in the middle frame
 
Starting the third period with the powerplay, the Cougars took advantage of the extra attacker and leveled the game only 1:43 into the period on Breanne Trotter's third goal of the season.
 
In desperate need of the full three points, freshman Pronghorn Tallon Stephenson played hero for her team, picking up her second goal of the season with just over nine minutes remaining,
 
The Cougars pulled their netminder with just under two minutes to play, but the Pronghorns were able to hold the Cougars off for a much-needed victory.
 
The Pronghorns and Cougars will conclude their season series tomorrow night in Lethbridge, puck drop is slated for 7:00 pm at Nicholas Sheran Arena.